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INVESTIGATION OF COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA— Part 7
HEARING
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
EIGHTY-THIRD CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
APRIL 20, 1954
(AFTERNOON SESSION)
Printed for the use of the Committee on Un-American Activities
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
47718 WASHINGTON : 1954
Boston Public Library
Superintendent of Documents
SEP 8- 1954
COMMITTEE ON UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES
United States House of REPRESENTATrvES
HAROLD H. VELDE, Illinois, Chairman
BERNARD W. KEARNEY, New York FRANCIS B. WALTER, Pennsylvania
DONALD L. JACKSON, California MORGAN M. MOULDER, Missouri
KIT CLARDY, Michigan CLYDE DOYLE, California
GORDON H. SCHERER, Ohio JAMES B. FRAZIER, Je., Tennessee
Robert L. Kdnzig, Counsel
Frank S. Tavenner, Jr., Counsel
Thomas W. Beale, Sr., Chief Clerk
Raphael I. Nixon, Director of Research
Courtney E. Owens, Acting Chief Investigator
Page
April 20, 1954, afternoon session, testimony of :
Bertram Coffey 4799
Milton Lessner 4813
James E. Toback 4818
Esco L. Richardson 4820
Jolin B. (Ben) Olson 4822
Carl C. Callender 4825
Natlian Zahalsky 4826
John Lang 4828
Oliver Hagan 4839
Index i
CONTENTS
RULES ADOPTED BY THE 83D CONGRESS
House Resolution 5, January 3, 1953
*******
Rule X
STANDING COMMITTEES
1. There shall be elected by the House, at the commencement of each Congress
the following standing committees :
* * « 4: 4: * *
(q) Committee on Un-American Activities, to consist of nine members.
*******
Rtjle XI
POWEBS AND DTTTIES OP COMMITTEES
17. Committee on Un-American Activities.
(a) Un-American Activities.
(b) The Committee on Un-American Activities, as a whole or by subcommitte*
is authorized to make from time to time, investigations of (1) the extent, chai
acter, and objects of un-American propaganda activities in the United State*
(2) the diffusion within the United States of subversive and un-American pro|
aganda that is instigated from foreign countries or of a domestic origin am
attacks the principle of the form of government as guaranteed by our Constitr
tion, and (3) all other questions in relation thereto that would aid Congres
in any necessary remedial legislation.
The Committee on Un-American Activities shall report to the House (or to tB
Clerk of the House if the House is not in session ) the results of any such inves
gation together with such recommendations as it deems advisable.
For the purpose of any such investigation, the Committee on Un-America
Activities, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized to sit and act at such time
and places within the United States, whether or not the House is sitting, ha
recessed, or has adjourned, to hold such hearings, to require the attendano
of such witnesses and the production of such books, papers, and documents, an
to take such testimony, as it deems necessary. Subpenas may be issued undfl
the signature of the chairman of the committee or any subcommittee, or by aH
member designated by such chairman, and may be served by any person desij
nated by any such chairman or member,
VI
INVESTmATION OF COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE
STATE OF CALIFOENIA— PAKT 7
TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1954
United States House of Eepresentatives,
Stjbcommittee of the Committee on Un-American AcTI^^:TIES,
San Diego^ Calif.
PUBLIC HEARING
AFTERNOON SESSION
The subcommittee of the Committee on Un-American Activities met,
f)ursuant to adjournment, at 1 : 45 p. m,, in the Chamber of Commerce
Building, Hon. Donald L, Jackson (acting chairman), presiding.
Committee members present: Representatives Donald L. Jackson
,nd Clyde Doyle.
Staff members present : Frank S. Tavenner, Jr., counsel ; William
L Wheeler, staff investigator ; and Mrs. Billie Wheeler, acting for the
lerk.
Mr. Jackson. The committee will be in order.
Who is your next witness, Mr. Counsel ?
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Bertram Coffey. Will you come forward, Mr.
Coffey, please?
:estimony of bertkam coffey, accompanied by his counsel,
joseph genser
Mr. Jackson. Will you raise your right hand, sir ?
Do you solemnly swear in the testimony you are about to give be-
ore this committee, that you will tell the truth, the whole truth and
lothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. Coffey. I do.
Mr. Jackson. Be seated, please.
For the purpose of taking the testimony of this witness, the Chair
elinquishes the gavel and the chairmanship to Mr. Doyle.
(At this point Mr. Doyle assumed the chair.)
Mr. Tavenner. What is your name, please, sir ?
Mr. Coffey. Bertram Coffey.
]\Ir. Tavenner. Are you accompanied by counsel, Mr. Coffey?
Mr. Coffey. I am, Mr. Tavenner.
Mr. Tavenner. Will counsel please identify himself for the record ?
Mr. Genser. Joseph Genser.
Mr. Tavenner. And where do you practice law ?
Mr. Genser. At 340 11th Street, Richmond, Calif.
I 4799
4800 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Tavenner. When and where you born, Mr, Coffey ?
Mr. Coffey. I was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., June 18, 1916.
Mr. Tavenner. Where do you now reside ?
Mr. Coffey. I live in the city of El Cerrito, Calif.
Mr. Tavenner. How long have you lived there?
Mr. Coffey. In the city of El Cerrito approximately, oh, a littli
more than a year, I bought a home there a little over a year ago. Ii
is adjacent to the city of Richmond, Mr. Tavenner.
Mr. Tavenner. When did you come to the west coast ?
Mr. Coffey. I arrived here in July of 1944.
Mr. Tavenner. Have you lived in California continuously sinc<
July of 1944?
Mr. Coffey. I would say so, except for brief trips, vacations, and S(
forth.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, what your edu
cational training has been ?
Mr. Coffey. I am a graduate of New York University, School o:
Commerce, the year of 1939. Prior to that the usual preliminar
precollege training.
Following university training I did study law for a while bu
concluded my training of that.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your occupation or profession ?
Mr. Coffey. Well, I am a self-employed publicist, advertising.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, how you becamt
employed after you graduated from New York — you say New Yorl
University ?
Mr. Coffey. University.
Mr. Tavenner. New York University in 1939, and the completioi
of a year or a part of a year in the law school ?
Mr. Coffey. Well, it wasn't important how long I was in la\
ischool, whether it was a year or more, but I believe at this point '.
will have to state I will not discuss my occupation, my employment
my clients, et cetera, on the grounds of the fifth amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. It was not my purpose to ask you about your clients
Mr. Coffey. I realize that, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. It is the nature of your employment I was con
cerned about at the time you came to California.
Mr. Coffey. Well, I could answer that as I did, publicity has bee?
my work
Mr. Tavenner. Bv whom were you employed when you came t<i
California in 1944?
Mr. Coffey. I don't think I will answer that question, sir, on th<
grounds that I don't want to be a witness against myself or any prio
employer or any client since.
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Chairman, it seems to me that the matter of pre
liminary employment without respect to clients or anything of tha
sort is an essential part of identification of the witness and I respect
fully ask that he be directed to answer the question.
(At this point Mr. Coffey conferred with Mr. Genser.)
Mr. Doyle. As soon as you are through consulting your counsel
Mr. Coffey.
Mr. Coffey. I am sorry, sir. I didn't hear vou.
■
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4801
Mr. Doyle. I say, as soon as you are through consulting your coun-
f?el on that point, if you do not answer the question I will instruct you
1:0 do so, that last question of counsel.
]Mr. Coffey. Since we have had two questions asked me, sir — ^Mr.
Jackson, I wish you would speak a little louder. I didn't hear you.
Mr. Jackson. I would be very happy to. My request of the chair-
man was that he direct you to answer the question which was asked
you by counsel.
Mr. Coffey. That is correct, and I have been directed to answer.
Mr. Doyle. That is right.
Mr. Coffey. May I consult with my attorney ?
Mr. Tavenner. A't all times.
Mr. Doyle. You may have all the time you want.
May I ask you, Mr. Tavenner, to repeat the last question ?
Mr. Tavenner. Will you read the question, please ?
(The question was read by the reporter.)
Mr. Coffey. Mr. Tavemier, I believe I invoked the privilege on
that question some minutes ago. I don't want to belabor the point.
Mr. Doyle. May I ask this, Mr. Coffey?
Mr. Coffey. Yes, Mr. Doyle.
Mr. Doyle. You have been instructed to answer that question. Do
you refuse to answer it on constitutional grounds ?
Mr. Coffey. Yes, sir. I was establishing that point on the con-
stitutional ground.
Mr. Doyle. Wliat portion of the Constitution do you rely on, if
70U care to specify?
Mr. Coffey. I rely upon the first amendment, sir, and the fifth
amendment, sir, without making any speech about the subject.
Mr. Doyle. Very well.
Mr. Jackson. Thank you for that. »
Mr. Coffey. Thank you.
Mr. Doyle. Proceed, counsel.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you engage in the work of an organizer of
the CIO in the beach area of Los Angeles in 1944 and 1945 ?
Mr. Coffey. I think it flows, sir, from my previous answer that,
and I respectfully say this, I don't wish to discuss that period in
any manner with regard to employment or activity.
Mr. Doyle. I will say, Mr. Coffey, if you are undertaking to say
you stand on your constitutional rights, of course you will have that
right, but as a member of the committee, I don't see how whether
or not you were employed by the CIO would incriminate you. I don't
look on the CIO as any organization which is engaged in any un-
American activities.
Mr. Coffey. No comment to that, sir.
Mr. Doyle. Do you decline to answer ?
Mr. Coffey. I believe I stated to counsel, Mr, Doyle, I decline
to answer on the grounds that I have established previously.
Mr. Doyle. Very well.
Mr. Tavenner. I hand you a photograph marked "Wereb Exhibit
No. 2," and will ask you whether or not that is a photograph of you.
Mr. Coffey. That is a very good photograph of me, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you hear the testimony of Mr. Stephen Wereb
this morning?
47718— 54— pt. 7 2
4802 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. CorrEY. Yes.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Wereb testified that you came to the executive
committee of the Hawthorne Chib of the Communist Party to obtain
assistance in connection with your union organizational activities at
the Standard Oil plant in the beach area of Los Angeles. Was he
telling the committee the truth or not about that ?
Mr. Coffey. Excuse me.
Mr. DoYi.E. You take whatever time you need, Mr. Coffey, to talfe
with your lawyer. We will not hurry you.
(At this point Mr. Coffey conferred with Mr. Genser.)
Mr. Coffey. At this point I want to state this for tlie benefit of the
committeee.
I am not a member of the Communist Party and I have not been a
member of the Communist Party since, to the best of my knowledge
Mr. Tavenner, and gentlemen, some time in the winter of 1946, and
I would rather not discuss any matters relating to that period oi
prior to it on the gi'ounds that I have already established, sir, the first
amendment and the fifth amendment, and again I will say, and I kno^\
the committee will appreciate that, I will not belabor the point or gc
into historical backgrounds, et cetera, while I am invoking thai
amendment.
Mr. Doyle. Then let's have the record show clearly you are now
again refusing to answer this question under your constitutional right
Mr. Coffey. That is correct, sir.
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Chairman, I think the record should show posi
tively, in light of the voluntary statement made by the witness, thai
he is not now a member of the Communist Party, but that he was anc
left the Communist Party must put the balance of his testimony ii
an entirely different category and I think that it is only fair to stati
to the witness that moral compulsion relative to additional question;
which may be asked of you by counsel dealing with the period of you
membership in the Communist Party is not an adequate or sufficien
basis for refusal to answer such questions. I simply want to ge
that in the record, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Coffey. Sir, I am trying to understand your statement.
Mr. Jackson. Let me phrase it a little differently. Perhaps it wil
be a little easier to understand. The decisions relative to testimony
which have been handed down in many instances have held that whei"
a witness answers certain questions or volunteers certain information*
he in effect waives certain rights which he might otherwise enjoy ii
the absence of such voluntary testimony
Mr. Coffey. Excuse me, Mr. Jackson, I believe I follow you, bu<i|tir
I didn't say what you said I said. I think my statement will show
that.
Mr. Jackson. My recollection of it is you said you were not now 8
member of the Communist Party and that you had not been a membeij
of the Communist Party since, I believe, the winter of 1946. Thai
is substantially, as I recall, subject to correction by counsel or Mr
Doyle, the essence of your statement which was a voluntary state^|
ment having to do with the subject of this interrogation and maj ri
materially alter the subsequent course of the committee
I felt that that should be on the record at this point.
Mr. Doyle. That is correct. ■(
(if
ion
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4803
If there is any question in your mind, Mr. Coffey, as to what you
volunteered, as relates to the discussion between you and Committee
Member Jackson, I will ask the reporter to retrace her notes and read
back to you what you did volunteer.
Mr. Coffey. I think the record will report what I said, sir, and
again I don't want to belabor the point.
Mr. Doyle. There is no doubt it will report what you said, but if
any question is in your mind about whether or not you said sub-
stantially about what Mr. Jackson called your attention to, said what
you said, I want the reporter to read it so you will not be confused.
Mr. Coffey. I believe, sir, I recall very well what I said. I don't
igain want to take up the time of the committee in sparring about the
subject.
Mr. Jackson. This is not sparring.
Mr. Coffey. I recollect that.
Mr. Jackson. It is a matter which may have subsequent effect on
this case, and I wanted you to be aware of that, under the circum-
;tances.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Coffey, a note that I have here as to what you
^aid is, that you had not been a member of the Communist Party since
he winter of 1946.
]\fr. Coffey. I said to the best of my knowledge, that period.
Mr. Tavenner. Have you since 1946 engaged in any Communist
.^arty activities, since 1946?
Mr. Coffey. Of course not.
Mr. Ta\t.nner. But prior to the winter of 1946 where were you
living?
I Mr. Coffey. Prior to the winter of 1946 ?
I Mr. Tavenner. Yes.
! Mr. Coffey. Well, again, sir, as I said before, I will decline to
mswer that, any question relating to that period.
]\lr. Doyle. May I make this clear. Our experience on the com-
nittee makes us feel that the question of where a man lives is not a
juestion of incrimination and that it is foundation questions or identi-
ication that the committee is entitled to of a factual nature as to where
I person lived at a given time, so I want you to take plenty of time to
consult your lawyer, because I expect to direct you to answer that
juestion.
(At this point Mr. Coffey conferred with Mr. Genser.)
!Mr. Coffey. I repeat my answer, sir. I will decline to answer the
statement as I have stated a number of times prior to, roughly, that
rvinter of 1946, on the ground of fifth amendment, sir.
• Mr. Doyle. Then let me make it clear right now. On behalf of the
committee I am directing you to answer that question of where you
ived at the time asked by Mr. Tavenner.
(At this point Mr. Coffey conferred with Mr. Genser.)
Mr. Coffey. I repeat the statement I made prior to your last ques-
jon, Mr. Doyle.
Mr. Doyle. In other words, you are standing on your constitutional
privilege ?
Mr, Coffey. I am standing on my constitutional privilege.
Mr. Doyle. Very well. Let me say again, you understand we have
10 objection to a man standing conscientiously on his constitutional
)rivilege.
4804 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Coffey. I understand that.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the Hawthorne group dur- ,
inff 1945 or 1946?
Mr. Coffey. I have ah-eady stated my position on that, Mr. Taven-
ner. And I again invoke my constitutional privilege and decline to
answer that kind of a question.
Mr. Tavenner. You have also told the committee that you have
not been a member of the Communist Party since the winter of 1946.
Mr. Coffey. That is right, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Indicating that you were a member of the Com- ,
munist Party prior to the winter of 1946. j
Mr. Coffey. I have stated by answer to those questions before, and j
I don't think I have to be told what I said. I think the record will j
show what I said.
Mr. Tavenner. The legal effect of what you said may well be that
you have waived your right to claim the fifth amendment, having
stated what you did, having volunteered what you did.
Mr. Coffey. I understand.
Mr. Tavenner. So it is necessary for me to ask you the specific i
question as to whether or not you were a member of the Hawthorne I
Club of the Communist Party.
Mr. Coffey. I have answered that question, sir, by invoking my
constitutional privilege.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the Communist Party before
you came to the west coast in July of 1944?
Mr. Coffey. Again, sir, I decline to answer that question on the
grounds of the fifth amendment.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you acquainted with Mr. Stephen Wereb who
testified before the committee this morning?
Mr. Coffey. On the same grounds I will decline to answer thai
question.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you engage in the work of organizing a strike
in 1945 or any organizational work for the CIO at the Standard Oi^
plant in the bay area ?
Mr. Coffey. I thought I had stated my position on that subject quit(
adequately.
Mr. Tavenner. In other words, you will not give the committee anj
information relating to a period of time prior to the winter of 1946 '(
Mr. Coffey. For the reasons I have stated.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Coffey, were you in the city of Washington
D. C, about 2 or 3 weeks ago ?
Mr. Coffey. Yes, sir.
Mr. Jackson. At that time did you have a conversation or conver-
sations with the acting chairman of the committee, the gentleman
from California, Mr. Doyle, and with our colleague from the San
Francisco Bay area. Congressman Shelley ?
Mr. Coffey. Yes, sir.
Mr. Jackson. Isn't it a fact that you informed both of those gen-
tlemen at that time that you had been a member of the Communist
Party?
Mr. Coffey. Sir, I will answer that question as I have already
answered that question. The record will show what I said.
Mr. Jackson. But you did so inform them ?
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4805
Mr. CoFFET. The record will show what I said, Mr. Jackson.
Mr. Jackson. I know, but I don't recall at the moment what you
said. Did you so inform the two members of Congress?
Mr. Coffey. I did.
Mr. Jackson. Did you not at that time ask for a hearing before
the House Committee on Un-American Activities in Washington,
D.C.?
Mr. CoFFET. I think that requires a clarification and if at this point
I may take a minute, I will try to be brief.
Mr. Jackson. Will you answer the question, then explain your
question in your answer.
Mr. Coffey. I didn't — your phrasing of the question, sir, puzzles
me, because I
Mr. Jackson. Let me rephrase it. Did you ask to be heard in the
city of Washington, D. C., before the Un-American Activities Com-
mittee ; did you make that request ?
Mr. Coffey. I said at the time, under duress — well, cross that word
out. Let's put it this way. I did suggest to Mr. Doyle in a conver-
sation what had been happening to me over a number of months to
the effect that my wife, my relationships with my people, either were
being seriously hampered by rumors to the effect that I was now a
Communist, that I was under subpena, that I had been subpenaed
before, which was true, I was subpenaed as you gentlemen very well
know in December of 1953, and under the stress of that kind of situa-
tion, which I think this committee and you gentlemen up there can
very well understand, and because my reputation, my need to provide
for my family, my wife and two children, two infant children, with
the wherewithall to live, was being seriously damaged by rumors that
had been floating around in many circles, under those conditions, Mr.
Jackson and Mr. Doyle, I went to Washington at my own expense to
discuss this problem.
Mr. Doyle. Were you not under subpena when you came to Wash-
ington ?
Mr. Coffey. Oh, no. That is right.
Mr. Doyle. I think I saw a release in a San Francisco paper by you,
or purporting to be by you, on your return to San Francisco, saying
you had been summoned to Washington.
Mr. Coffey. No, sir, I never said that, Mr. Doyle.
Mr. Doyle. I merely want to get that correct, because as far as
I know you were not.
Mr. Coffey. There was confusion about that in the press.
Mr. Doyle. In other words, will you answer this question ; you were
not summoned to come back to Washington, were you ?
Mr. Coffey. As a matter of fact, sir, I said when asked by the press
that I voluntarily went to Washington for the reasons and back-
grounds I have just given you, because I was seriously upset.
Mr. Doyle. You voluntarily came and you were not under subpena ?
Mr. Coffey. I was not under subpena except some language had
been used once, "You had been subpenaed, you are under technical
subpena." I think I read that some place by some member of the com-
mittee. That is not important. I will say to the best of my knowledge
I was not under subpena and voluntarily came to Washington.
Mr. Doyle. Without being summoned to Washington.
4806 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Jackson. Following the conversations with my two colleagues
in the House, did you then have an extended conference with counsel
for the committee, Mr. Tavenner?
Mr. Coffey. Yes; I sought Mr. Tavenner out, as a matter of fact.
I did want to talk to Mr. Tavenner about this entire problem.
Mr. Jackson. And after your conversations with Mr. Tavenner, a
date for a hearing was set in Washington; was that not the case?
Mr. CoPTEY. I would have to answer that this way. That delibera-
tions may have led the committee at a meeting voluntarily to offer me
a hearing which I did not accept; which I did not accept, and I did
speak with Mr. Tavenner on a Friday afternoon, following being
advised by both Mr. Tavenner and Mr. Doyle. Mr. Doyle, I remember
in the hall of the Old House Office Building, said to me that I was a
lucky boy, that I would have an open hearing on a Monday, and this
isn't what in my own mind, and I am sure you understand the nature
of my mind at that time, wasn't what I came to Washington for,
because I knew in any event I ^vas going to be subpenaed and I did
have a conversation, I don't know how long it took, with Mr. Taven- '
ner, and I did tell him that I would let him know, or his secretary.
He told me to let his secretary know, and I said I would let his secre-
tary or him know whether or not I w^ould remain for it to appear
Monday.
I then, after spending some time, I did talk to the Congressman
about the subject and he said, to the best of my memory, that it would
not prejudice me, that I could have a hearing at any place, but if I
wanted one in Washington I could have it, and I said I would speak
to Mr. Tavenner, and I did wire Mr. Tavenner's office Saturday morn-
ing and went home and waited on my subpena, received a phone call
from Mr. ^Vheeler to the effect he would be in San Francisco, went to
Mr. Wheeler's hotel to save him the necessity of serving me and
received a subpena there for this hearing.
That, in substance, Mr. Jackson, is the story about the Washington
trip.
Mr. Doyle. Have you any other questions, Mr. Tavenner ?
Mr. Tavenner. I have one other question.
Mr. Doyle. May I ask this question ? You said you did not know
how long the conversation between you and Mr. Tavenner lasted
I am informed that it lasted about 3 hours.
Mr. Coffey. Did it?
Mr. Doyle. Is that not correct?
Mr. Tavenner. That is a very conservative statement, I think.
Mr. Coffey. Well, Mr, Tavenner, if I recall, we had two conver-
sations, one which was brief, and the second which was quite inter-
rupted ; you remember you were seeking out some people.
Mr. Tavenner. Yes; it was interrupted.
Mr. Coffey. And I walked around the building quite a bit and
made myself available. So I couldn't say, in all honesty, sir, except
that I did have a conversation at length with Mr. Tavenner.
Mr. Doyle. The reason I ask that is that I am sure you will agree
that it was at length and that Mr. Tavenner made himself available at
length to you.
Mr. Coffey. That is correct.
Mr. Tavenner. The question that I was about to ask, after youi
return from Washington, Did you give an interview to the press in
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN* THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4807
Sail Francisco in which you stated that you had been a member of
the Communist Party?
( At this point Mr. Coffey conferred with Mr, Genser. )
Mr. Coffey. Well, when I returned from Washington — may I
answer it this way ? When I returned from Washington a news story
had broken, a doped story, so to speak, in one of the columns, and the
press w^as on the phone constantly for about 48 or 72 hours, and I
guess I answered what the press asked me, to the best of my knowledge.
Mr. Ta^^nner. Well, did you state to the press that you had been
a member of the Communist Party?
Air. Coffey. I will have to decline to answer that on the same
!j:rounds that I have stated before.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions.
Mr. Doyle. Mr. Jackson.
Mr. Jackson. I have no questions, Mr. Chairman, but I do have
a brief .statement that I should like to make.
A great deal has been made in the California press of the case in-
volving the present witness. It has been alleged in some (juarters
that this witness is here today because of the fact that he belongs to a
political party other than my own. I should like to say that nothing
30uld be further from the truth. The witness is here because of his
identification with activities of the Communist Party.
I should like to have it clearly understood, Mr. Chairman, that
my time the investigative staff of this committee comes in with the
dentification of a Republican as a member of the Communist Party,
le will be put on the stand just as quickly if I have anything to say
ibout it. This hearing has no political overtones so far as I am con-
cerned, and in all of the matters relating to this witness there has
seen the closest consultation between Mr. Doyle and myself and the
other members of the committee.
So I should like to lay at rest the political ghost which has attached
'tself to this case.
Mr. Coffey. Mr. Jackson, b&fore you lay it completely at rest,
nay I toy with the ghost just a moment?
Mr. Jackson. Certainly, kick it around.
Mr. Coffey. I will kick him.
It is a matter of record, I am sure, that since the primary campaigns
)f 1946 — I think we can fix the dates around election time, since I
think we are all involved in politics to one extent or another — I became
ictive in the Democratic Party, registered in the Democratic Party.
[ became a resident in my community to stay, registered to vote as a
democrat.
I volunteered to act in behalf of Democratic candidates. I believed
hen and I believe now, and I believe now very strongly that this was a
)arty that was making great contributions to our Nation, to its people,
ind giving great leadership to the rest of the world.
It was in this party that I exercised my privileges of citizenship. It
s in this party that I have been active. It is not my fault as a result
)f my activity in the Democratic Party, Mr. Jackson, that I have been
ilected by the people of my community a number of terms.
Mr. Jackson. Upon that I congratulate you. That is an interesting
tatement.
Mr. Coffey. And I congratulate you upon your past elections, but,
have been elected and I had filed as a Democrat in my community
4808 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
in the last campaigii and it is my impression that, this being an election
year, perhaps the biggest in the history of our country, that I would be
subject to criticism and identified with some association
Mr. Jackson. I simply want to make my position clear. It is not
your activities in the Democratic Party which brought you before the
committee, but alleged activity within the Communist Party, and other
than that I have nothing further.
Mr. Doyle. Mr. Coffey, may I ask you a couple of questions, please ?
You volunteered the information — may I state this, and again, be-
cause it has been called to the attention of this group, and if you have
listened you will know Mr. Jackson and I are on opposite sides of the
political fence.
As far as the functioning of this committee is concerned, I have no
hesitancy in saying publicly again that which I have stated fre-
quently, that by and large we are undertaking to cooperate on a high
level, on a nonpartisan basis.
I am not saying we are always successful, but by and large that is
what we are aiming at.
This particular hearing today, I am a Democrat and Mr. Jackson is
a Kepublican, but we are representing the United States Congress.
May I state that, knowing what the record was as to the testimoin
under oath that was going to be given with reference to you, Mr
Coffey, you sat here this morning and heard all that testimony. I
fail to see how you or anyone else in the Democratic Party of which I
am a member in California, and proud of it, or any other person could
claim that it has a political overtone, because in my book as a Membei
of Congress I certainly would not let any Democrat or any Eepublican
regardless of who he is or what his profession is, get by without oui
trying to find out whether or not that person was still an active mem-
ber of the Communist Party or carrying on the Communist philosophy
under some other political party registration.
Now, I want to say to you, sir, and I say it without any feeling o1
haste, I am concerned, sir, that you could not be in this room alj ,
this morning and hear the testimony of this former FBI man undei
oath and then take the position with reference to your congressional
committee, which is not cooperating with the committee in the field oJ
uncovering subversive activities.
Now, may I state frankly again, if it is true, and you haven't deniedi
it, and you pleaded your constitutional privilege, thank God we have
it in this country and they don't have it in Soviet Russia, so you and
I should be mighty proud as an American citizen, and I don't criticize
you in claiming your privilege, believe me, if it is done conscientiously,
but I have to, for my own position as a Congressman and as a fellow
citizen I can't help but inferentially, at least, believe that what the
FBI man said was true about your activities, when he said you were
a member of a certain Communist Party and when he stated you did
certain things.
Now, I have known of cases of young men your age in the last 4
or 5 years who have been active in the Communist Party back in 1944,
1945, 1946, and then withdrawn for cause. They have come forward
and said, "Sure I was. I was 7 or 8 or 10 years younger then ; I pulled
a boner; I made a mistake. Now, because I have discovered, before
1 withdrew from the Communist Party, that I couldn't consistently
!lt
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4809
Istay in the outfit which was dedicated to the forceful overthrow of
my country."
I have known of young men who have come forward and said, "Let
me help you understand the Communist conspiracy in Los Angeles
County."
Mr. Coffey. Mr. Doyle, may I interject this at this point?
Mr. Doyle. Yes, you may, and I am not trying to put you in a posi-
tion where you have to explain any further position.
Mr. Coffey. I recognize that, but you raised an interesting point,
and I would like to say this, and I say it respectfully without attempt-
ing to use this committee as a sounding board.
I think that it is about time many of us judge people by what they
have been doing in an adult period of their life, what I have been do-
ing since I made my community, my home, my political activities, my
other activities, speak for what I am and what I hope to be and what
I want to return home tonight to be.
Mr. Doyle. I read on yesterday a statement by Vice President of
the United States Nixon.
Mr. Coffey. I recall you read that statement, Mr. Doyle.
Mr. Doyle. It appeared in the Examiner of the date given, Sunday,
April 18, in which he stated :
Again I believe each case should be considered on its merits, particularly when
dealing with an ideology which during 1930 had such an appeal among the in-
telligentsia and various other groups.
Mr. Coffey. I agree with Mr. Nixon's statement. I don't often
agree with the Vice President, but I agree with that statement.
Mr. Doyle. How old were you when you first went into the Com-
munist Party?
Mr. Coffey. I think it is getting late, isn't it, Mr. Doyle? I have
stated my position on that.
Mr. Doyle. It is never too late to be helpful to your Nation.
Mr. Coffey. There are ways in which one is helpful. The fact I may
not be cooperating, to use the language of the committee, with this
conunittee, may flow from other reasons and I wish you would give me
credit for those reasons.
Mr. Doyle. I grant that, sir, but you volunteered the statement you
withdrew in 1946. Now, you volunteered that. Now, if you volun-
teered that
Mr. Coffey. Volunteered?
Mr. Doyle. I thought you did.
(At this point Mr. Coffey conferred with Mr. Genser.)
Mr. Coffey. I never used that language.
Mr. Doyle. Oh, no ; you didn't use that language.
Mr. Coffey. I didn't use the language you usecT.
Mr. Doyle. At any rate, I understood you to testify that you with-
drew from the party, you thought, in the winter of 1946. That in
substance. Now, if you did that — I am interested in you as a young
man and the younger generation — at what age do people join the Com-
munist Party? You joined a few veare before 1946, I assume. Of
course, if it is too personal, I don^t expect you to answer it, but I
think it is a proper question without your incriminating yourself, I
assume.
47718— 54— pt. 7 3
4810 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Well, let me ask you this, Mr. Coffey, I am not picking out you to ast
you this question, because the record will show that it is one of mj
stock questions when we have time to do it.
You withdrew in 1946 from the Communist Party. For what
reason did you withdraw?
(At this point Mr. Coffey conferred with Mr. Genser.)
Mr. DoTLE. AVliat is the reason you couldn't tolerate theii
philosophy any longer?
Mr. Coffey. Sir, I didn't give any testimony about that. I thini
I said I have not been a member since.
Mr. Doyle. All right, you have not been a member. Did you with-
draw in the winter of 1946, or is it just you haven't been actually £
technical member?
Mr. Coffey. Again, sir, I will have to decline to answer that on th(
grounds I have established earlier in my testimony and ask you agaii
to judge me as we must judge all men by how they are living, anc
I just want to say this: I feel resentful, naturally, and I think yoi
would, Mr. Doyle, and any citizen would, that a committee that hai
been seeking legislation for 15 years under an act of Congress up
roots me after what I think has been a mature attempt at living, living
constructively, living democratically, trying to strengthen the demo
cratic processes of the country, a country that all of us love, and hen
I am at this position in life at almost the age of 38 with two smal
children being seriousl}^ damaged by just the threat of a subpena sonn
months ago.
Mr. Doyle. Let me ask you this, Mr. Coffey. Have you spoken ou
against the Communist Party since you are no longer a member o
it?
Mr. Coffey. By mj participation of the Democratic Party sinc^
1946, by supporting its platform, its program, is a demonstrativ
answer to that question, Mr. Doyle, and if I were in Congress I woul(
have been voting just as you have been voting as a Democrat.
Mr. Doyle. Well, let me ask you, because I want to say this to yoii
Have you spoken out against the Communist Party since you are n<
longer a member of it, have you done that ? Have you done it ?
Mr. Coffey. The record will speak for that, sir. I have.
Mr. Doyle. Wliat?
Mr. Coffey. I have, sir.
Mr. Doyle. Well, I am glad to know it. I want to compliment yoi
and I want to urge you to do more of it.
Mr. Coffey. And I would do more of it and we will all do more o
it by participating in the political process of the country by main
taining our two-party systems.
Mr. Doyle. I am not putting it on that level. I am asking you as ;
young man, a young American citizen — I would like to have your at
tention just a minute.
Mr. Coffey. I am listening, sir. I am just trying to relax.
Mr. Doyle. I am not trying to relax you. I am trying to get some
thing across to you.
You are a Democrat. So am I.
Mr. Coffey. That is right.
Mr. Doyle. I am not satisfied that living in the Democratic Jr'artj:
and working for it and activity in it is the only thing that is necessary
these days, even a vigilant Democrat or a vigilant Republican. I cam( i
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4811
0 the j)oint somewhere years ago where I felt as a Democratic con-
ressman and a Democratic citizen that my duty was to speak out and
igorously work against the Communist conspiracy.
Now I am urging you, sir, as an active member of the Democratic
^arty to get on that level because I think it is not less important that
ou and I as American citizens get on the level of thinking which is
igorous and vigilant against the Communist conspiracy which you
nd I know is abroad right here, and I am aware of the fact, and I
lOpe you are, that right in California there are former Communists
ly registration who are still at heart Communists, and they have and
re trying to infiltrate the Democratic and Republican Parties.
I think that is all, Mr. Jackson.
]Vlr. Tavenner. I have one further question, Mr. Chairman.
You referred in rather a disparaging way to the matter of coop-
irating with this committee. May I ask whether since the winter of
946 you have cooperated with the FBI in any manner, regarding
/ommunist Party activities?
Mr. Coffey. The FBI has not asked for my cooperation.
Mr. Tavenner. And you have not offered it ?
Mr. Coffey. I have never been visited by the FBI. My only co-
peration in the sense of an organization of that nature with our
overnment was in helping to line up a trip to help the beloved Presi-
i.ent of the United States.
Mr. Tavenner. You have given no facts relating to Communists'
ctivities to the Federal Bureau of Investigation ?
Mr. Coffey. I have answered that. The Federal Bureau has not
isited me.
Mr. Tavenner. And you didn't visit it ? You volunteered nothing ?
Mr. Coffey. I have never been visited by the Federal Bureau.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you volunteer any information to them?
Mr. Coffey. Do we have to continue this, Mr. Tavenner?
Mr. Tavenner. Well, unless you answer the question.
Mr. Coffey. I haven't.
Mr. Tavenner. That is all I wanted to know.
Mr. Doyle. Do you have any further questions ?
Mr. Tavenner. That is all.
Mr. Doyle. Unless you have something further, Mr. Coffey, that
3 all.
Thank you very much.
(Whereupon the witness was excused.)
(At the point Mr. Jackson resumed the chair.)
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Milton Lessner, will you come forward?
Mr. EsTERMAN. May I address the chairman most respectfully. I
'epresent this witness. I want to make a request based upon some
aw which I presented to both members of the committee and to your
ounsel, to- wit :
United States vs. Kleinman^ which appears in 107 Fed. Sup., at
)age 407, and which says unequivocally that the calling of witnesses
►efore a committee before television and radio apparatus ,is not con-
lucive to the calm and quiet search for facts, and that witnesses are
lot required to be subjected to spot lights, television, radio and repro-
lucing apparatus, and for that reason most respectfully I request
hat you turn off these lights which hurt my eyes and that you turn
ff the radio.
4812 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
That is our request.
Mr. Jackson. Very well, the request is noted ^n the record. Dur-
ing the noon recess the committee took this matter under considera-
tion, and it was brought to my attention that in drafting of the rule?
of procedure of the House Committee on Un-American Activities
this particular citation had been given considerable thought anc
studied by the full committee.
Out of that study in January of this year there was developed
printed set of rules and regulations of the committee. That sectioi
having to do with televising of hearings I will read into the recorc
at this time. It is section XIII of the Rules of Procedure of the Com
mittee on Un-American Activities, which states :
Televised hearings :
(A) If a hearing be televised :
(1) Television facilities in the hearing room shall be restricted to two cameras
the minimum lighting facilities practicable, and the television production shal
be available on a pool basis to all established television companies desiring pap
ticipation.
(2) Telecasts of committee hearings shall be on the basis of a public servio
only, and this fact shall be publicly announced on television in the beginnini
and at the end of each telecast. No commercial announcements shall be pep
mitted from the hearing room or in connection therewith, and no actual o;
intimated sponsorship of the hearings shall be permitted in any instance.
Upon the request of a witness that no telecast be made of him during thi
course of his testimony, the chairman shall direct that television cameras re
frain from photographing the witness during the taking of his testimony.
Under the rule a witness may not personally be televised if h
objects and any request by a witness that he not be televised will b
respected by the committee.
However, the Chair cannot permit dictation as to the conduct of am
hearing beyond the purview of the written rule.
The demand that no audio or visual broadcast, either of televisio]
or radio, be allowed, appears to the chairman to be an infringemen
of the freedom of communication and of the press. This is an ope] ,
hearing of a duly constituted committee of the Congress of the Unitei
States and the committee feels the activities of the committee shoulc
be available to all of the legal media of transmission of information '
For this reason the Chair will direct the present witness not b
televised during his testimony in accordance with the rules of pro
cedure of the full Committee of the House Un-American Activities
I would like to have the record state affirmatively that the mini
mum lighting necessary to the operation of the televison camera
is being used ; that the lights are quite some distance from the witness
and the cameras are so lighted that they should not constitute an;
considerable bar to the taking of testimony.
In the light of these facts, Mr. Counsel, the hearing will proceed
Mr. EsTERMAN. I thank you for that statement. I want to make i
very clear that I espouse the freedom of the press just as you do, anc
not only have no objection to the press, I welcome them, and I wan
to make that statement on the record. I wasn't talking about freedon
of the press. I was talking about what this court called, and othe:
courts nave called, a carnival attitude which is not conducive to th«
adducing of facts for one of the highest deliberative bodies of th(
United States.
Mr. Jackson. Very well.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4813
Mr. EsTERMAN. I understand ray request has been partially granted
md partially denied.
Mr. Jackson. That is correct.
Mr. EsTERMAN. Now, we don't want that light in our eyes. I am
naking the request that it be taken out of our eyes.
Mr. Jackson. Just a moment, please.
(Short interval.)
Mr. Jackson. Very well. In an effort to accommodate the wit-
less to every possible'^ extent, the light on this camera will be put out.
Will the witness raise his right hand, please ?
In the testimony you are about to give before this subcommittee, do
i^ou solemnly swear that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and
lothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. Lessnee. I do.
Mr. Jackson. Be seated, please.
Mr. Taatsnner. Wliat is your name, please ?
":estimony of milton lessnee, accompanied by his counsel,
william b. esterman
Mr. Lessner. Milton Lessner.
Mr. Taa^nner. I notice you have counsel beside you.
Mr. Esterman. William B. Esterman, E-s-t-e-r-m-a-n.
Mr. Ta\^nner. Of the Los Angeles bar ?
Mr. Esterman. California bar.
Mr. Tavenner. When and where were you born, Mr. Lessner?
Mr. Lessner. Connecticut.
Mr. Tavenner. ^Vlien?
Mr. Lessner. 1913.
Mr. Tavenner. Where do you now reside?
Mv. Lessner. San Diego.
]\Ir. Tavenner. How long have you lived in San Diego?
Mr. Lessner. I would say approximately 10 years. Is the tele-
ision sound functioning, I would like to know.
Mr. Jackson. Yes; the television sound is functioning.
^[r. Lessner. My request originally was that no television be shown
rliile I am testifying and that includes sound as well.
]\Ir. Jackson. The Chair was well aware of the request.
Mr. Lessner. And you have denied it ?
Mr. Jackson. The committee took the anticipated request under
•Diisideration and decided that we grant the request that you not be
elovised.
Mr. Lessner. Television also includes sound.
Air. Jackson. You are not being televised with it.
Mr. Lessner. But television includes sound.
Mr. Jackson. Yes, the sound is on as it has been on radio ever since
he committee has operated.
Proceed, Mr. Counsel.
(At this point Mr. Lessner conferred with Mr. Esterman.)
Mr. Esterman. There is a question,
Mr. Tavenner. When did you move to the west coast from
Connecticut ?
Mr. Lessner. Twenty years ago.
4814 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Tam5Nner. AVhere did you first reside on the west coast ?
(At this point Mr. Lessner conferred with Mr. Esterman.)
Mr. Lessner. I resided in Los An<jeles.
Mr. Tavenxer. Have you lived continuously in Los Angeles from
that time until the present time?
Mr. Lessner. I just mentioned to j^ou that I had been living in San
Diego for the past 10 years.
Mr. Tavenner. San Diego for the past 10 years?
Mr. Lessner. Approximately 10 years, yes,
Mr. Tavenner. What is your occupation or profession ?
(At this point Mr. Lessner conferred with Mr. Esterman.)
Mr. Lessner. I happen to be in business right now, Mr. Tavenner.
Mr. Tavenner. How long have you been in business?
Mr. Lessner. Well, in round numbers I would say — let me ask yon
this, what is the legislative purpose of such a question?
Mr. Tavenner. We would like to understand — rather, let me put;
it this way. The committee has reason to believe that j'ou are in a\
position to know of the existence of a professional group of the Com-
munist Party within San Diego, and it will be my purpose to ask yon
what you know about such a group,
Mr, Lessner. Well, why don't you ask me ?
Mr. Tavenner. I will ask you.
Mr. Lessner. All right.
Mr. TA^^;NNER. But before that I want to know the business ii
Avliich you were employed between 1944 and 1948.
(At this point Mr. Lessner conferred with Mr, Esterman.)
Mr. Lessner. I would like to know the legislative purpose of thai
as it relates to the resolution of this committee, Mr, Tavenner, creating
this committee.
Mr. Tavenner. Well, I explained to you what was the subject unde]
inquiry in calling you as a witness and the reason for my asking yoi
the question about your occupation during that period of time. Now
I will ask you again to answer the question.
Mr. Doyle. I think, Mr. Tavenner, perhaps I can add a thought t(
the witness there. Under Public Law 601 we are charged, as yoi
know, as I know% you are familiar with the resolution which yoi
referred to, with the extent and the character of subversive activities
and propaganda. The extent, of course, would go, as far as you ar(,
concerned, to the type of citizens that have been engaged in sub'
versive activities ancl the character would go to the same purpose
I am merely making that as a supplemental statement.
(At this point Mr. Lessner conferred with Mr, Esterman.)
Mr, Lessner, Do I understand, Mr. Tavenner, that you are relating
that question to the resolution that Mr. Doyle just read?
Mr. Jackson. Let the Chair, in order to bring that matter to a head
say that the Chair feels that questions having to do with the educa
tional background and occupational background are quite propel
questions to be asked of the witness, and therefore the Chair direct;
the witness to answer.
(At this point Mr, Lessner conferred with Mr, Esterman.)
Mr, Lessner. Mr, Chairman, in view of the fact of the statemeni
made by Mr. Doyle and its relationship to the question, I decline t*
answer it for the following reasons :
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4815
One. This hearing, as I see it, is unlawful, essentially because it is
a denial of the due process of law. For example, there is no cross-
examination of stool pigeons and informers when these things are
brought up.
Secondly, this is an unlawful attempt to search into my conscience,
and I would like at this point to quote from the declaration of con-
science, as spoken by Senator Margaret Smith before the House and
Senate, in which she said :
I think it is high time that we remember that we have sworn to uphold and
defend the Constitution.
I think it is high time that we remember that the Constitution, as amended,
speaks not only for the freedom of speech but also of the trial by jury instead of
the trial by accusation.
Those of us who shout the loudest about Americanism and making character
assasinations are all too frequently those who by our own words and actions
ignore some of the basic principles of Americanism, the right to^ criticize, the.
right to hold popular beliefs, the right to protest, the right of independent thought.
The exercise of these rights should not cost one single American citizen his
reputation or his right to a livelihood nor should he be in danger of losing his
reputation or livelihood merely because he happens to know someone who holds
unpopular beliefs. Who of us does not ; otherwise none of us could call our souls
our own ; otherwise thought control would upset him.
No. 3. According to the Constitution, I have a right to my own be-
liefs, a right to associate with those that I prefer to associate with, and
this is guaranteed me, and this committee has undertaken to invade
my conscience.
Fourthly, as a businessman, many of my customers have the impres-
sion that this is a court, and that I am being tried on criminal charges,
;and that it is up to this particular court to determine whether I am
innocent or guilty.
I want to make it known now that this hearing is unlawful, that
you are not a judge, jury, prosecutor, and that you cannot try me or
punish me.
Mr. Jackson. I am very glad to have the witness make that state-
ment.
Mr. Lessner. May I still have the floor, Mr. Chairman ?
Mr. Jackson. Yes.
Mr. Lessner. Lastly, the Bill of Rights specifically states : You can-
iKjt compel me to bear witness against myself.
]Mr. Tavenner. May I suggest the witness be directed to answer the
question?
Mr. Jackson. Yes; the witness is directed to answer the pending
question. Perhaps it should be asked again. That was some time ago.
Mr. EsTERMAN. May we ask that the sound effects also be turned off,
iMr. Chairman?
Mr. Jackson. Any request that is to be made
Mr. EsTERMAN. Will you ask the
Mr. Lessner. Will you kindly turn off the sound effects. I re-
quested that previously.
Mr. Jackson. Yes, I know you did. The committee ruled on your
request. The present conditions in the hearing room are those that
will continue during the course of your testimony.
Mr. TxWENNER. Will you tell the committee, please, what was the
type of your employment between 1944 and 1948 in San Diego.
Tliat is the question which you refused to answer and you have
now been directed by the chairman to answer it.
4816 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Lessner. Mr. Chairman, it is the same question. I will give
you the same answer, and it is the same Bill of Rights.
Mr. Jackson. You decline to answer the question for the reasons
you stated, is that correct ?
Mr. Lessner. No comment, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you at any time during the period I liave
mentioned
Mr. Jackson. Just a moment, counsel.
Mr. Tavenner. Excuse me.
Mr. Jackson. The question was asked by counsel and the commit-
tee would appreciate an answer or a declination to answer from you
on that point, on the question. That is a reasonable request and a
fair one, whether or not you are going to decline to answer the ques-
tion that was asked on the grounds previously stated.
Mr. Lessner. May I ask this, Mr. Chairman. During this period
do you have any evidence that I have committed any illegal act or
wrong ?
Mr. Jackson. No. Now, let us make it very clear in the record that
you are not being charged or accused of anything. You are being
asked to supply the committee with information which sworn testi-
mony before the committee would indicate that you have in your
possession and that it is within your power to furnish that informa-
tion. This is not an accusation. There is no charge leveled. You
will not be accused. You will be asked questions based upon sworn-
testimony. We are not a court, a judge, a prosecutor, nor a jury.
It is a legitimate inquiry directed by the United States Congress.
Mr. Doyle. I wish to state in addition to the chairman's statement to<
the witness, we have never claimed to be a judge or a jury or claim>i
to find guilty.
Mr. Lessner. Actions sometimes speak louder than words, and you
do punish although it may not be any deliberate awareness on your
part, but with reference to the Chair's
Mr. Dotle. I am quite aware that you have preparecj speeches,
prepared personally, in front of you.
Mr. Lessner. I am not reading.
Mr. Doyle. You were a minute ago.
Mr. Lessner. That is my right.
Mr. Doyle. That is right.
Mr. Lessner. Then why bring it up ?
Mr. Doyle. If it isn't a speech that is quite all right, if you don't
remember it, but on the other hand I just want you to know that the
committee is not claiming to be a judge or a jury nor find guilt nor
find innocence. We are not doing it today and we have not been.
Mr. Lessner. Then why am I here ?
Mr. Doyle. You are here because under Public Law 601 you are a
United States citizen and your United States Congress has delegated
this group to come out here and see the extent of your knowledge in
connection with subversive activities in San Diego and other areas,
and we, under sworn testimony, I believe, have sworn testimony, that
you know quite a little bit about it. We are asking you to answer us
honestly and frankly for the benefit of the Congress you claim to
honor.
Mr. Lessner. You mention there has been sworn testimony. Has it
been publicized?
!
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4817
Mr. Jackson. That is a matter that absohitely does not relate to
the question that is pending. A question has been asked you. You
have been directed by the Chair to answer the question.
Mr. Lessner. Will you repeat the question, please ?
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Counsel.
Mr. Tavenner. The question still is, what was your employment in
San Diego between 1944 and 1948?
Mr. Lessner. Mr. Chairman, I decline to answer that on the same
grounds.
Mr. Jackson. Very well.
Mr. Lessner. That I stated before.
Mr. Jackson. Very well.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you at any time
Mr. Lessner. Wait a minute. I am not through.
Mr. Esterman. May it be agreed he does not have to repeat the
grounds ?
Mr. Tavenner. Certainly, if he says on the grounds previously
stated, I assume the chairman will accept it.
Mr. Jackson. Yes.
Mr. Esterman. Thank you very much.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Lessner, did you at any time serve as probation
officer in the San Diego County Probation Department from 1944 to
1948?
(At this point Mr. Lessner conferred with Mr. Esterman.)
Mr. Lessner. Well, the dates, I am not sure of the dates, but as a
matter of record, I was a probation officer.
Mr. Tavenner. For how long a period of time were you an officer?
Mr. Lessner. I would have to look up the record. I don't know
exactly.
Mr. Tavenner. What is yo"i' best judgment?
Mr. Lessner. I think, Mr. Tavenner, you could look up the records
as well as I. I mean, I am under oath now. I am not going to even
give in round numbers what I tliink it is.
Mr. Jackson. Does counsel have the period of his employment?
Mr. Tavenner. No, sir.
Afr. Jackson. Is there any approximation, whether 1 year, 2 years,
or ;> years?
Mr. Lessner. Oh, I think it has been a couple of years.
Mr. Jackson. Two years that you so served ?
Mr. Lessner. Possibly.
Mr. Jackson. Thank you.
Mr. Tavenner. During the period of time that I have mentioned
Ix'tween 1944 and 1948, did you have any official position in connec-
hoii with the Federal Housing project in this area?
Mr. Lessner. Is that on your subversive list ?
Mr. Tavenner. No, it certainly is not. It certainly is not.
Mr. Lessner. Then I shall answer, as I did in reference to the pro-
bation office job, that that was possibly about 2 years.
Mr. Tavenner. During the period that you were either a member
of the probation department or as an official connected with the Fed-
eral Housing Administration, were you a member of the professional
^roup or cell of the Communist Party in San Diego?
(At this point Mr. Lessner conferred with Mr. Esterman.)
47718 — 54— pt. 7 4
I
4818 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA ,
Mr. Lessner. Mr. Chairman, I shall decline to answer that question
on the grounds previously stated.
Mr. Jackson. Very well.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you now a member of the Communist Party?
Mr. Lessner. Same question, same answer, the same Constitution
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Jackson. Do you have a question, Mr. Doyle?
Mr. Doyle. No questions.
Mr. Jackson. Is there any reason why the witness should not he
excused ?
Mr. Tavenner. No, sir.
Mr. Jackson. The witness is excused from further attendance on
his subpena.
Mr. James E. Toback.
Mr. Esterman. Without repeating it, I am making the same requesi
for this witness that I am making for the previous one, and I assume f
the ruling is the same.
Mr. Jackson. The ruling is the same.
Will you raise your right hand, please ?
Do you solemnly swear in the testimony you are about to give before
this subcommittee you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth so help you God ?
Mr. ToBACK. I do. "
Mr. Jackson. Be seated, please.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your name, please ?
TESTIMONY OF JAMES E. TOBACK, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS COUNSEL
WILLIAM B. ESTERMAN
Mr. Toback. James E. Toback.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you accompanied by counsel, Mr. Toback?
Mr. Toback. I am.
Mr. Es'i-ERMAN. My name is in the record.
Mr. Tavenner. Is it the same counsel ?
Mr. Esterman. I have every reason to believe that it is.
Mr. Tavenner. When and where were you born, Mr. Toback?
Mr. Toback. I was born in IUvraine. That is ])art of Russia,
Mr. Jackson. When did you arrive in this country?
Mr. Toback. I believe it was in lOOfi.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you a naturalized American citizen?
Mr. Toback. I am.
Mr. Tavenner. "\Anien and where were you naturalized?
Mr. Toback. It is a matter of record.
Mr. Tavenner. When was it?
Mr. Toback. Approximately 1044, maybe 194;'>, maybe 1945. 1 tniiii
it was about 1944.
Mr. Tavennf;r. Where were you naturalized?
Mr. Toback. Right here in San Diego.
Mr. Tavenner. Now, when did you move to San Diego?
Mr. Toback. You mean wlien I first arrived here in San Diego?
Mr. Tavenner. Yes, sir.
Mr. Toback. Oh, approximately, I believe around 1932.
Mr. Tavenner. 1932?
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4819
yh\ ToBACK. I believe. It is 20 — somewhere around that time.
haven't the memory that some of the witnesses have shown here,
lave you the date?
Mr. Tavenner. No ; I do not.
Mr. ToBACK. About, I would say, somewhere around 1932.
Mr. Tavenner. What was your statement with reference to what
ome of the witnesses have shown here ? I didn't quite understand it.
Mr. ToBACK. I mean, you ask about events that took place some
10 years ago, and I possibly haven't the memory that all the witnesses
lave shown.
Mr. Tavenner. Well, is your memory sufficient to state whether
>r not their testimony was correct as to your membership in the Com-
Qunist Party?
(At this point Mr. Toback conferred with Mr. Esterman.)
Mr. ToBACK. Mr. Tavenner, I respectfully decline to answer that
[uestion, respectfully, for the following reasons :
1. The Bill of Rights protects me from any attempt to force me
o bear witness against myself, and I w^ant to point out to this com-
iiittee that no inference can be drawn from my refusal to answer.
2. You have neither the right nor the power to accuse me or to
lunisli me. You are not a court.
3. Under the first amendment and the Bill of Rights I am guar-
iiiteed freedom of conscience, and because you have no power to
egi slate in matters of conscience, you have no right to inquire.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the Communist Party at
my time prior to your naturalization in 1944: in San Diego?
Mr. ToBACK. It is the same question and gets the same answer as
)reviously stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you now a member of the Communist Party?
Mr. ToBACK. Same question, same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Doyle?
Mr. Doyle. No questions.
Mr. Jackson. Is there any reason why the witness should not be
excused ?
Mr. Tavenner. No, sir.
Mr. Jackson. The witness is excused from any further attendance
LHider tlie subpena.
Will you call your next witness ?
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Esco L. Richardson.
Mr. Eserman. I have the honor to represent this witness.
Mr. Jackson. The same request?
Mr. Esterman. The same request and the same partial denial.
Mr. Jackson. The same answer.
Will you raise your right hand, please?
Do you solemnly swear in the testimony you are about to give before
this subcommittee you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. Richardson. I do.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your name, please, sir?
4820 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
TESTIMONY OF ESCO L. RICHARDSON, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS
COUNSEL, WILLIAM B. ESTERMAN
iSS
Mr. Richardson. Esco L. Richardson.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you accompanied by counsel ?
Mr. Richardson. I am.
Mr. EsTERMAN. Same counsel.
Mr. Tavenner. When and where were you born, Mr. Richardson?
Mr. Richardson. Orange County, 111., January 29, 1904.
Mr. Tavenner. When did you move to the west coast ?
Mr. Richardson. I believe in 19 — you said when did I move to the J
west coast ? i '^^'
Mr. Tavenner. Yes.
Mr. Richardson. I was born in Orange County.
Mr. Tavenner. I thought you said Illinois.
Mr. Richardson. No. I believe it was 1928.
Mr. Tavenner. Where have you resided since 1928.
Mr. Richardson. You want me to tell you all the places I have
resided since 1928 ?
Mr. Tavenner. I would like to know what areas ; not necessarily the
particular address.
Mr. Richardson. Well, there have been quite a number. Los An-
geles County first.
Mr. Tavenner. From what period to what period?
Mr. Richardson. Approximately 1928 to 1932, the first part of 1933.
1933 to 1940 or the first part of 1941 in San Diego. In 1941 in Losi
Angeles County again. The latter part of 1941 in the State of Wash-
ington. From Washington back to Los Angeles County again, where
I remained, I believe, until 1943 or 1944, when I moved to the island of
CuraQao in the West Indies. In 1945 I was back in Los Angeles again,
remained there until 1947, when I made a trip to the Pacific on a job;
I was in the island of Guam.
Mr. Tavenner. What was the period when you were in Guam ?
Mr. Richardson. That was the period ; it was in 1948. Perhaps I
left in the latter part of 1947.
Mr. Tavenner. What was the nature of your employment at Guam?
(At this point Mr. Richardson conferred with Mr. Esterman.)
Mr. Richardson. I was employed by the Pacific island engineersi^tla
as a surveyor.
Mr. Tavenner. The committee has received evidence as to the<
manner in which the Communist Party induced its members to run
for political office or to be registered on various committees or groups
of the Communist Party as Communist Party members. The com-
mittee has in its possession a declaration of candidacy, under date of
August 27, 1940, showing that you declared or that a person by the
name of Esco L. Richardson declared himself a party candidate for
nomination to the office of Congress in the 20th district on the Com-
munist Party ticket. I would like to ask you first whether or not you
can identify the signature on this photostatic copy as being yours, on
the document I refer to ?
Mr. Richardson. Do you have the original?
Mr. Tavenner. That is a photostatic copy.
Mr. Richardson. Of the original ?
»
COMMXTNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4821
Mr. Tavenner. Yes. Will you turn it over and let the witness see
it, please?
(At this point Mr. Richardson conferred with Mr, Esterman.)
Mr. Richardson. In answer to this question, I must respectfully
decline to answer for these reasons : That it is my belief that this com-
mittee is exceeding the powers that are granted to Congress by the
Constitution; that it is usurping the power of the judiciary. The
method in which these hearings are conducted, although it has been
stated it is not a trial, it certainly is a trial to the individuals who
are called here. They are tried and condemned by the questions and
,by the innuendoes that are made. Their livelihoods are threatened
and great harm sometimes comes to them. They are denied the fund-
amental rights which the Constitution guarantees to every person who
is accused of a crime, the right to be represented by counsel, the right
to be informed of the accusations that are made, the right to confront
md to cross-examine the accusers, the right to trial by jury in a
Dublic court.
The duty of trying individuals who are charged with committing
•rimes is reserved specifically by the Constitution to the judiciary,
md the procedures under which these hearings are to be held are care-
fully outlined so that false accusations cannot be made without being
mswered. This is not true of the type of hearing that we are having
lere.
The Constitution also guarantees the right of free speech and free
issociation.
1 1 also guarantees me the right to listen and to remain silent.
This committee, I believe, violates the right of due process and the
•ight to be protected against unlawful search and seizure.
The fifth amendment of the Constitution specifically says that no
^Vmerican shall be compelled to be a witness against himself, and I
ligain want to call the committee's attention that the courts have
.varned this committee and others that no inference of guilt can be
Irawn from the fact that I claim this protection for myself.
I, therefore, refuse to answer this question.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you an organizer in the Communist Party
n San Diego at any period of time?
Mr. Richardson. That is the same question. The same answer. I
laim my constitutional privilege.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you now a member of the Communist Party?
Mr. Richardson. That is the same question, and the answer applies.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Doyle.
Mr. Doyle. No questions.
Mr. Jackson. Is there any reason why the witness should not be
'xcused?
Mr. Tavenner. No, sir.
Mr. Jackson. The witness is excused from further testimony under
ho subpena.
The committee will take a brief recess until 3 : 30.
(Whereupon at 3:23 p. m., the committee took a recess until
'.:36 p.m.)
Mr. Jackson. The committee will be in order.
Who is your next witness?
4822 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. John B. Olson.
Will yon come forward, please, Mr. Olson.
Mr. Jackson. Will you raise your right hand, j)lease?
Do you solemnly swear, in the testimony you are about to give be-
fore this subcommittee, you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. Olson. I do.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you give us your full name, please?
TESTIMONY OF JOHN B. (BEN) OLSON, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS
COUNSEL, ROBEET R. RISSMAN
Mr. Olson. John Bennett Olson the second.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you accompanied by counsel ?
Mr. Olson. I am.
Mr. Tavenner. Will counsel please identify himself for the record?
Mr. EissMAN. My name is Robert R. Rissman. I am practicing
law at 257 Spring Street, Los Angeles, Calif.
Mr. Tavenner. What did you state was your name, your first name?
Mr. Olson. John.
Mr. Tavenner. John Bennett?
Mr. Olson. That is correct.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you also known as Ben?
Mr. Olson. Yes ; I am generally known as Ben.
Mr. Tavenner. When and w4iere were you born, Mr. Olson?
Mr. Olson. Minneapolis, Minn.
Mr. Tavenner. You now live on the west coast?
Mr. Olson. I do.
Mr. Tavenner. When did you come to the west coast?
Mr. Olson. In 1938.
Mr. Tavenner. Where do you reside?
Mr. Olson. In Los Angeles.
Mr. Tavenner. Have you lived in San Diego or the vicinity of San
Diego ?
Mr. Olson. Yes- I have.
Mr. Tavenner. Where?
Mr. Olson. I lived in La Jolla.
Mr. Tavenner. When was that?
Mr. Olson. I lived here in 1941 to 1943 and from 1947 to 1948.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your occupation or profession ?
Mr. Olson. If you mean present employment, I wish I could answer
that definitely.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your field ; aside from what your present
employment may be, what is your field of employment generally ?
Mr. Olson. I am a biologist.
Mr. Tavenner. A biologist ?
Mr. Olson. Yes ; I am.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the conunittee, please, what your edu-
cational training has been for the field of biology?
Mr. Olson. I have a Ph. D. degree. I have gone through all the
requirements for that,
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, where you re-
ceived your educational training?
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4823
Mr. Olson. I prefer not to answer that question. I would like to
tell you why, or let's put it this way : I will answer those questions in
closed executive session but not here in public hearing. I am proud
of all the institutions with which I have ever been associated. I
i-ealize what happens when a person is subpenaed and brought before
the committee. Headlines are rampant, and I do not want to bring
tliese
Mr. Tavennp:r. Let me change the form of the question.
Mr. Olson. Yes.
Mr. Tavenner. There was a witness, Mrs. Berman, on the witnass
stand this morning, and she was the dues director of the Communist
Party here in San Diego. She produced a card with the name of
Ben, B-e-n, period O, period. She identified in her testimony that
information as referring to you. Now, on this same card appears
the letters "E. D.," which she also says meant educational director.
Were you educational director of any group ?
Mr. Olson. First of all, she said it applies to me ?
Mr. Tavenner. Yes.
Mr. Olson. If I understand you correctly ?
Mr. Tavenner. Yes.
Mr. Olson. I didn't know any such connection had been established.
I wasn't aware of that.
Mr. Tavenner. Let me ask you now, was her identification of you
as a member of the Communist Party correct, or was it in error?
Mr. Olson. I would like to have it clear right now that I decline to
answer that question, and I would be liappy to give you my reasons
why.
I almost do not know where to begin, because it is such a very long
story. I am very happy to be here. I have never felt more free and
less under pressure in my life. This is the sort of thing that is feared
in the academic world in which I have lived. The best of liberals
are always afraid they are going to be called before the committee,
and it is just a standing joke, and at least here I am, and I am very
glad to make it clear, and I am proud to stand on the Bill of Rights in
declining.
If a person did not take the opportunity of using that Bill of
Rights, it wouldn't mean a thing, and out the window it would go
with dirty water, and would go all of the freedom which the country
enjoys.
Therefore, I decline to answer this question on the first amendment.
It is an inquiry into my freedom to associate with whomever I wish
to associate and hold whichever beliefs I wish to hold.
I will extend this to say that it does not apply just to this question
but to any organization which you might mention here, for one
never knows how long this list is going to gi^ow of organizations.
I will not decline to answer questions just in reference to a particular
organization, but any other organizations which might exist on lists
of which I know nothing.
I decline on the basis of the fifth amendment, being fully aware
that the fifth amendment is there not just to protect the guilty but is
there just as much to protect the innocent. I am very pleased to in-
\ oke the fifth amendment in my behalf.
Mr. Tavenner. Mrs. Mildred Berman testified here this morning
that you were employed in some capacity at the time that you were
4824 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
a member of a group of the Communist Party at Scripps Institute,
and that you lived on the campus. Was her statement in that respect
true or was it false ?
(At this point Mr, Olson conferred with Mr. Rissman.)
Mr. Olson. I am not here to testify as to the truth or falsity of the
statements of your other witnesses. Therefore, I will decline to
answer that on the same grounds as I before have invoked.
Mr. Tavenner. Let me ask you whether you did live on the campus
of Scripps?
Mr. OLSf)N. I lived on the campus at Scripps Institute.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you employed there?
Mr. Olson. I was a graduate student at Scripps Institution; and
I received
Mr. Tavenner. "What was the period when you were there?
Mr. Dlson, The periods named as to my residence in San Diego.
Mr. Tavenner. 1941 to 1943 and 1947 to 1948 ?
Mr. Olson. That is correct.
Mr. Tavenner. During that time, were you aware of the existence
of a cell or group of the Communist Party among either the students
or faculty of that institution ?
Mr. Olson. I shall have to decline to answer that question on the
same grounds as I used before.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you now a member of the Communist Party?
Mr. Olson. I decline to answer that question for the same reasons,
and you may ask me about any other organization which may or could
be on your list, and the answer would have to be the same.
Mr. Tavenner. Our subject of investigation relates to Communist
Party activities in this area.
Mr. Olson. I thought it related to un-American activities.
Mr. Tavenner. You think there is a distinction?
Mr. Olson. That is a matter of opinion, which I cannot be required
to answer.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions.
Mr. Jackson. Any questions, Mr. Doyle ?
Mr. DoYLE. No, sir,
Mr. Jackson. Is there any reason why the Avitness should not be
excused ?
Mr. Tavenner. No, sir.
Mr. Jackson. The witness is excused from further attendance at
this hearing.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Carl Callender, will you come forAvard, please?
Mr. Jackson. Will you raise your hight hand, sir?
Mr. Callender. No television.
Mr. Jackson. You do not want to be televised ?
Mr. Callender. That is right.
Mr. Jackson. No television camera will be turned on the witness.
Mr. Callender. And the lights likewise.
Mr. Jackson, The lights will be turned off. The same condition
will exist as with the previous witness who requested it.
Raise your right hand.
Do you solemnly swear in the testimony you are about to give before
this subcommittee, you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr, CaivLender. I do.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES EST THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4825
Mr. Jackson. Be seated, please.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your name, please, sir ?
TESTIMONY OF CARL C. CALLENDER, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS
COUNSEL, ROBERT R. RISSMAN
Mr. Callender. Carl C. Callender.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you spell your last name ?
Mr. Callender. C-a-1-l-e-n-d-e-r.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you accompanied by counsel ?
Mr. Callender. I am.
Mr. Tavenner. Will your counsel please identify himself for the
record ?
Mr. RissMAN. Robert R. Rissman, of Los Angeles.
Mr. Tavenner, Wlien and where were you born, Mr. Callender ?
Mr. Callender. I was born in Butler, Pa., June 24, 1904.
Mr. Tavenner. Wlien did you come to the west coast ?
Mr. Callender. I think it was the latter part of 1935 or the early
])art of 1936.
Mr. Tavenner. Where have you resided since 1935 or 1936 ?
Mr. Callendei?. Practically all of the time in San Diego County.
Mr. Tavenner. You state practically all of the time. Is there
any other place that you resided during that period of time ?
Mr. Callender. Well, I spent about perhaps' 8 or 9 montlis in
Seattle. Perhaps a month in Monterey, Calif. That might even be
2 months.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Callender, the committee has information
wliich would indicate that you are in a position to give quite a bit
of information relating to the existence of various groups or cells
of the Communist Party in San Diego. For instance, this morning
a witness, Mrs. Mildred Berman, who was dues director for the county
organization here of the Communist Party, produced a card which
sjie had made out at the time that she occupied that position which
bears this information, "Carl C." She identified that as a mean-
ing, as referring to Carl Callender, and opposite your names appears
on this card, "D. and M." which she said meant dues and member-
ship director of the Communist Party. My first question is whether
or not she is correct in identifying this card and identifying you
as having been the dues and membership director of a group of the
(Ommunist Party in San Diego.
(At this point Mr. Callender conferred with Mr. Rissman.)
Mr. Callender. Mr. Chairman, to save your time and mine, I won't
quote the first and fifth amendment, but I do wish hereby to invoke
both of ti^-ose amendments. I do not wish to state whether — what
was her name ?
Mr. Tavenner. Mildred Berman.
Mr. Callender. Wliether Mildred Berman was telling the truth
or not.
Mr. Tavenner. Why?
Mr. Callender. I have stated my reasons, the first and fifth amend-
ments to the Constitution.
Mr. Jackson. The witness has declined to answer the question on the
ground of the first and fifth amendments.
4826 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Tavenner. Are you now a member of the Communist Party?
Mr. Callender. The same answer for the same reason.
Mr. Tavexxer. Were you acquainted with Dan Taylor?
(At this point Mi-. Callender conferred with Mr. Rissman.)
Mr. Callender. I will decline to discuss anybody I know under
my grounds, my rights under the fifth amendment of the Constitution.
Mr. Ta\t:nxer. Anybody?
Mr. Callender. Whether I know them or not.
Mr. Tavenner. That means what you say, you decline to discuss
anybody ?
Mr. Callender. Anybody, Mr. Chairman, that you may ask about
Mr. Tavenner. Or do you mean anybody who was in the Com-
munist Party?
Mr. Callender. I repeat, anybody that you may ask about.
Mr. Tavenner. Have vou ever been a member of the Communist
Party?
Mr. Callender. I decline to answer for the same reason.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Doyle?
Mr. Doyle. No questions.
Mr. Jackson. The witness is excused and released from subpena.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. La Verne Lym.
Mr. Jackson. Call him again.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. La Verne Lym, L-y-m.
I am reasonably certain, Mr. Chairman, that I have agreed with
counsel as a matter of convenience that witness be called tomorrow
instead of today.
Mr. Jackson. Very well, call your next witness.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Nathan Zahalsky.
Mr. Esterman. May the record show the same request about tele-
vision and radio and the lights, Mr. Chairman, most respectfully?
Mr. Jackson. The same ruling will be made as in the case of th(
other witnesses. The light will be turned out and the camera wil
refrain from photographing the witness during the course of his
testimony.
Please raise your right hand and be sworn, sir.
Do you solemnly swear in the testimony you are about to give befon
the subcommittee, you will tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing
but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. Zahalsky. I do.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your name, please sir ?
TESTIMONY OP NATHAN ZAHALSKY, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS
COUNSEL, WILLIAM B. ESTERMAN
Mr. Zahalsky. Nathan Zahalsky.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you accompanied by counsel, Mr. Zahalsk}' ?
Mr. Zahalsky. I am, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Will counsel please identify himself for the record?
Mr. Esterman. William B. Esterman, Los Angeles, Calif.
Mr. Tavenner. When and wliere were you born, Mr. Zahalsky?
Mr. Zahalsky. I was born January 10, 1904, in Russia.
Mr. Tavenner. What day ?
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4827
Mr. Zahalskt. January 10, 1904.
Mr. Ta\t:nner. 1904. Will you speak up a little ; please, sir. And
what was the place of your birth ?
Mr. Zahalsky. I don't remember even how to spell it. B-r-a-d-e-n.
Mr. Tavenner. When did you come to this country ?
Mr. Zahalskt. 1926.
Mr. Ta\t:nner. Are you a naturalized American citizen?
Mr. Zahalsky. Yes, sir.
Mr. TA^^^rNER. Wlien and where were you naturalized?
Mr. Zahalsky. Florence, Ariz.
Mr. TA^^!:NNER. When did vou move to the State of California ?
Mr. Zahalsky. 1942.
Mr. Tavenner. Have you lived here continuously since that time ?
Mr. Zahalsky. That is right, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Where have you lived in California ?
Mr. Zahalsky. In San Diego.
Mr. Tavenner. In San Diego?
Mr. Zahalsky. All the way through, yes.
Mr. Tavenner. You have lived in San Diego continuously since
1942?
Mr. Zahalsky. That is right.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your profession or occupation, Mr. Za-
halsky?
Mr. Zahalsky. I have a men's store.
Mr. Ta\t:nner. Mr. Zahalsky, the committee has information indi-
cating that you can be of some assistance to it in helping it to ascertain
the facts regarding the existence of a professional group or cell of the
Communist Party in San Diego. Will you tell the committee, please,
whether or not you know that there was such a group in San Diego ?
Mr. Zahalsky. Have you finished the question? Is the question
finished now?
Mr. Tavenner. Yes, sir.
(At this point Mr. Zahalsky conferred with Mr. Esterman.)
Mr. Zahalsky. I will not answer this question for the following
reasons :
First, that this invades my constitutional privilege under the first
amendment of the Constitution.
Second, that this is an attempt to violate my rights under the fourth
amendment.
Third, it is a violation of my rights to remain silent if I choose
and
(Mr. Zahalsky here put on his glasses.)
May I restate the third one ?
Third, it is a violation of my right to remain silent if I choose, and
you are forbidden under article V of the Bill of Rights to tell me
to be a witness against myself.
Fourth, this proceeding violates my rights to due process under
article V of the Bill of Eights.
Fifth, you have no right to ask me this question, because you are not
a court or are not judges, and I am not on trial.
Finally, I remind you that silence does not mean guilt, and it is un-
lawful to draw such conclusions.
Mr. Tavenner. In other words, you will not tell the committee any
facts within your knowledge regarding a Communist Party cell Or
4828 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
group known as the professional group in San Diego ? I understand
you refuse to answer?
Mr. Zahalskt. Is that another question ?
Mr. Tavenner. Yes.
Mr. Zahalskt. Same question, same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of that professional group of
the Communist Party?
Mr. Zahalskt. Same question, same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. We can't hear you.
Mr. Zahalskt. Same question, same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you now a member of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Zahalskt. Same question, same answer.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Doyle.
Mr. DoTLE. I have no questions.
Mr. Jackson. The witness is excused from further attendance under
his subpena.
Call your next one.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. John Lang, will you come forward, please ?
Mr. Jackson. Will you raise your right hand, sir ?
Do you solemnly swear in the testimony you are about to give before
this subcommittee, you will tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing
but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. Lang. I do.
Mr. Jackson. Be seated, please.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your name, please, sir ?
TESTIMONY OF JOHN LANG
Mr. Lang. John Lang.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Lang, it is the practice of the committee to
explain to each witness that he has the right to consult counsel at any
time he desires during the course of the witness' testimony. Do you
desire counsel ?
Mr. Lang. No, sir.
Mr. Ta\t:nner. When and where were you born ?
Mr. Lang. In Chicago, 111., in 1914.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you new reside in San Diego ?
Mr. Lang. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. How long have you resided in San Diego ?
Mr. Lang. Since 1921.
Mr. Tavenner. What has been your educational training ?
Mr. Lang. About 2 years of high school.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Lang, the committee desires to understand as
fully as it can how the Communist Party has functioned in this area
in the various projects which it has undertaken, and particularly in
the field of labor. Have you had any opportunity to see tlie manner
in which the Communist Party has fr.nctioned in the field of labor?
Mr. Lang. I have some small knowledge regarding that.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you speak a little louder? You say you have
some small knowledge of that?
Mr. Lang. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Well, did you acquire it through experience in the
Communist Party yourself?
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4829
Mr. Lang. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. When did you join the Communist Party ?
Mr. Lang. Li the fall of 1943.
Mr. Tavenner. How long did you remain a Communist Party
member?
Mr. Lang. Until about the middle of 1946.
Mr. Ta\-enner. I want to ask you both the circumstances under
(Avhich you entered the party and under which you left, but for the
present will you just tell us the circumstances under which you became
u member of the party ?
Mr. Lang. I had just been recently elected an officer of my union
and I was sought out for membership by certain Communists who
were members of my union.
Mr. TA^'ENNER. Yes. What was that union ?
]\Ir. Lang. The painters' union.
Mr. Ta\-enner. The painters' union. You are a painter by pro-
fession or trade?
Mr. Lang. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. And you acquired a position of leadership in your
union?
Mr. Lang. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. And then your joining the Communist Party was
sought by the Communists ?
Mr. Lang. That is correct.
Mr. Tavenner. What position did you hold in the union at that
time?
Mr. Lang. At that election I was elected vice president and a dele-
gate to the Central Labor Council, a delegate to the joint committee
between the painters and the contractors association, and a member of
the executive board of the local union, as I remember.
Mr. Tavenner. How long was it after you were elected to those
positions that you began to receive attention from the Communist
Party?
Mr. Lang. Very shortly.
Mr. Tavenner. Wlio were the Communist Party members who
began showing you attention ?
Mr. Lang. The business agent of our union, Mr. Buchanan.
Mr. Tavenner. What was the first name ?
Mr. Lang. David.
Mr. Tavenner. David Buchanan. He was the business agent of
your local ?
Mr. Lang. That is correct.
Mr. Tavenner. Was he publicly known at that time as a member
of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Lang. No, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Did the rank and file membership of your painters'
union know that they had elected to that position a member of the
Communist Party ?
Mr. Lang. No, they did not.
Mr. Tavenner. Well, tell us what occurred when Mr. Buchanan
came to see you. How did he approach you ?
Mr. Lang. Well, actually my approach to the Communist Party
did not come from Mr. Buchanan, but through other members within
our organization.
4830 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IX THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Tavenner. Tell the committee just how it occurred.
Mr. Lang. Specifically the one who approved me on the question
was Claude Laxon.
Mr. Tavenner. Claude Laxon ?
Mr. Lang. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Did he hold any official position in your local at
that time ?
Mr. Lang. I believe not at that time, no.
Mr. Tavenner. Did any others approach you on the subject of
becoming a member of the party ?
Mr. Lang. I would like to put it this way, that none of those mem-
bers actually at any time ever asked me to join the Communist Party,
to the best of my knowledge.
Mr. Tavenner. Well, how was the matter approached?
Mr. Lang. In a rather indirect way. Laxon approached me one
time as we were having a little chat and asked me if I had a half
a dollar, which I handed to him without asking the reason for it.
So he said, "You are now a member of the Communist Party."
Mr. Tavenner. That quickly ?
Mr. Lang. Just like that. So, of course, it seemed like a gag to
me at the time, and so I thought, well, I will go along with the gag,
and within a few days, why, I found that it wasn't a gag.
Mr. Ta^tenner. I assume you thought a number of times about that
and wished it was a gag, haven't you ?
Mr. Lang. You are very right, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. All right.
Mr. Lang. However, even after I found that it was actually true,
that this was the Communist Party, I suppose my curiosity was aroused
to a certain extent. I mean, I had heard some little things about
the Communist Party, and this seemed like a firsthand way to find
out more about it, and I reasoned with myself that anything so easy
to get into should be equally as easy to get out.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you find that to be true ?
Mr. Lang. In some respects, yes. At any rate, as far as the party
is concerned, when I dropped my membership in lO^G I haven't until
the present day been contacted again by the Communist Party.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee about the first Com-
munist Party meeting that you attended?
Mr. Lang. As I recall, it was just an informal gathering at my
own home, and it was conducted by one Matt Vidaver, who at that
time was the party organizer for San Diego, and was attended, as I
remember, by Laxon and his wife and Harry Shermis and his wife.
Mr. Tam^.nner. Harry Shermis^
Mr. Lang. Yes.
Mr. Tavenner. How do you spell the last name?
Mr. Lang. S-h-e-r-m-i-s.
Mr. Tavenner. All right. Any otliers that you can now recall?
Mr. Lang. I believe that that was all, to the best of my knowledge.
It was a very informal gathering, just, you might say, a get-acquainted
type of thing. At this particular meeting Mr. Vidaver, who was the
party organizer, attempted to express some views, general views con-
cerning tlie workings of tlie Communist Party, and what it stood for,
and its attempts to acliieve, and so forth, and all of his reasoning at
that time seemed quite reasonable as far as I was concerned.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4831
]Mr. Tavenner. Well, as you progressed in the work of the Com-
munist Party, will you tell what seemed to be its principal objectives,
as far as they related to you ?
Mr, Lang. Well, so far as they concerned me directly, the principal
objective seemed to be to carry on my work within my trade union
and with other bodies of that nature that I was affiliated with, and to
do everything possible toward bringing about the successful termina-
tion of the war that the country was engaged in at that time.
Mr. Tavenner. How many members of your group of the Com-
munist Party were members of your local union?
Mr. Lang. To the best of my knowledge, there were 6.
Mr. Tavenner. "Who were they ?
Mr. Lang. David Buchanan, myself, Oliver Hagen, Harry Shermis,
Claude Laxon, and Hal Hoyt.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you give us that name again ?
Mr. Lang. Hal Hoyt.
Mr. Tavenner. H-o-y-t?
Mr. Lang. I believe that is the spelling. H-a-1.
Mr. Tavenner. And in what way did this group endeavor to work
within your local union ?
Mr. Lang. Well, en a number of occasions resolutions were intro-
duced into our local union by certain elements within our union that
sought to bring about a stoppage of work on our defense jobs in the
area, and that was one of our major concerns at that time, and we all
on many occasions took the floor on that, on an argument opposing
such actions.
Mr. Tavenner. Did your group of the Communist Party endeavor
to hold meetings ahead of important meetings of your local to deter-
mine what course of action your local should take ?
Mr. Lang. Quite frequently.
Mr. Tavenner. Did your whole group of the Communist Party
endeavor to decide who the officers were to be in your local?
Mr. Lang. They sought to decide that. That is, insomuch as they
r sought the nominations and the elections, and I should say they hoped
for the election of said people.
Mr. Tavenner. AVas there anything that happened to indicate that
the rank and file of your local union was actually anti-Communist
and was opposed to communism ?
Mr. Lang. Yes. There was a good deal of discussion on the floor
of our local union along those lines, and an anti-Communist feeling
was expressed on many occasions there. Furthermore, there is a
clause in the Constitution of the Brotherhood of Painters and Deco-
rators which forbids membership in the Communist Party.
Mr. Tavenner. You said that Dave Buchanan was the business
agent of your local.
Mr. Lang. That is true.
Mr. TA^^5NNER. You have also said that it was not known that he
was a member of the Communist Party but at a later time did it be-
come publicly known that Dave Buchanan was a Communist?
Mr. Lang. Yes, sir ; through his own admission.
Mr. Ta^^nner. How did that happen ?
Mr. Lang. They had sought about expelling him from the union
on suspicion of being a member of the Communist Party, and he
4832 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
publicly announced that he was a member of the Communist Party at
that time and was proud of it. So that expedited his expulsion.
Mr. TavenjSTkr. Your local then took action to expell him?
Mr. Lang. That is correct.
Mr. Tavenner. Was there any particular program of the Com-
munist Party that you can recall now that the Communist Party
attempted to ])roject into your local?
Mr. Lang. The Communist Party attempted on several occasions to
introduce resolutions favoring different things that the party was in-
terested in at that time. For one thing, the establishment of a second
front in the European theater of war. They were very much inter-
ested in bringing about a change in the A. F. of L. national policy to
the effect that they would recognize the World Federation of Trade
Unions, and the painters' union did adopt such a resolution, and ir
was sent in turn, if I remember correctly, to the Central Labor Couii
cil, which I think turned the proposition down.
Mr. Taa^enner. Now, that is a very important matter in the field of j
labor. Are you familiar with the position that the American Fed-
eration of Labor took in regard to the World Federation of Trade
Unions ?
Mr. Lang. I think that I am familiar with their general arguments
against affiliation with the World Federation of Trade Unions, which
was basically because Communist delegates who were representatives
at that World Federation of Labor, and they objected to sitting down
at the council table with members of the Communist Party from what-
ever country they might be.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Chairman, I doubt if any witness has explained
to the committee the importance of that more fully than the witness
Patrick Walsh, a Canadian seaman, who testified in Albany, N. Y.,
before this committee in July of 1953, and the record of his testimony
appearing in that hearing should probably be read along with the
testimony of this witness.
Mr. Jackson. Very well.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Walsh stated, if you will permit me to read just
a little of it :
The American Federation of Labor knew from the very start that the World
Federation of Trade Unions was bound to be an out-and-out Communist organ-
ization because of the fact that in this new federation of trade unions the
Russians would have a numerical superiority and the A. F. of L. knew, for
example, that in Russia the trade unions are not bona fide trade unions.
Trade-union officials in Russia are appointed by the Government and not by the
membership, and one of the basic principles on which trade unions are founded,
the right to strike, is denied to workers in the Soviet Union, and that is why the
American Federation of Labor refused to join the World Federation of Trade
Unions.
Now, notwithstanding the national organization of the American i
Federation of Labor refused to join into the World Federation of!
Trade Unions, I understand from you that your Communist group t
was interested in getting your local on the lowest level in the Amer-
ican Federation of Labor to sponsor such a project.
Mr. Lang. That is correct.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell us a little more in detail how they
endeavor to influence the action of the national organization by their
work in a local such as your local ?
Mr. Lang. I am not quite sure I understand the question.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4833
Mr. Tavenner. Yes. I haven't stated the question plainly.
I want to know just how the Communist Party endeavored to in-
fluence, or what they tried to do in your local to try to bring about
action by the American Federation of Labor national organization
which would join this Communist international organization.
Mr. Lang. I am not positive exactly how this issue was raised in
our own particular local union. However, the method that was being
used was that local unions who had any Commimist membership
would all endeavor to introduce a similar resolution, and if it could
pass these different local unions, it would, in turn, go to the higher
bodies, which, in turn, might have forced the issue and brought
about a reversal of the American Federation of Labor's stand regard-
ing the World Federation of Trade Unions.
Mr. Tavenner. I think I should add at this point that although
the CIO did join this World Federation of Trade Unions, they soon
found out the character of it and withdrew from it. It is very inter-
esting to find that even here in a small painters' union the Communist
Party was attempting to set the program and the pattern for forcing
the national organization into that Communist group.
Did you have any experience in the Communist Party outside of
your work within the painters' union ?
Mr. Lang. Very little. I attended a scattered few meetings at other
places that included others than painters, but they were very few, and
I am not familiar with their operations and what problems they were
working on specifically.
Mr. Tavenner. How many members were there in your painters'
union, I mean, how many members of the local were there at the time
of the activities you have described ?
Mr. Lang. Offhand I would say between a thousand and twelve
hundred.
Mr. Tavenner. How many Communists, to your knowledge, were
members of the painters' union then ?
Mr. Lang. During the first part, or, I will say, the first half of 1944,
there were 6.
Mr. Tavenner. Wliat offices did they succeed in capturing in your
local ?
Mr. Lang. Just the office of vice president and the position of busi-
ness agent, which is not an office in our local union, although you are
elected to that position. And aside from membership on the execu-
tive board and various small committees, that was the extent of Com-
munist participation insofar as officers were concerned.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you still a member of that union?
Mr. Lang. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you know of any Communist Party membership
in the union today?
Mr. Lang. I think not. I would be willing to bet that there isn't a
single one in there.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee how it would be possible
for 6 members of the Communist Party in a membership of a thousand
or more persons to influence the action of the union in anything, the
election of officers, or passage of resolutions or any other matters ?
Mr. Lang. The only explanation that I could possibly give for a
thing like that would be the lethargy on the part of the other members
of that particular union.
4834 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Tavenner. Well, what was there to indicate lethargy on their
part?
Mr. Lang. The majority of them would rather go over to the corner
bar and have a beer and do their discussing there.
Mr. Ta-venner. Than to attend meetings?
Mr. Lang. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. What about the Communist Party members, did
they go to the bar or attend to their business ?
Mr, Lang. They found other times to go to the bar.
Mr. Tavenner. Wliat generally was the number in attendance that
decided on the matters that you had reference to ?
Mr. Lang. Oh, quite frequently things that we would consider
of rather great importance would be decided on by possibly some
hundred or one hundred and twenty-five who were present.
Mr. Jackson. Isn't it also true that the Communists in the union
had a predetermined course of action, they knew where they were
going, they knew how they were going to handle the debate on the
floor, they knew who was going to speak and that this proves the
power of an organized minority approach as against a disorganized
majority of the union members?
Mr. Lang. That is true.
Mr. Jackson. That has been demonstrated time and time and time
again in testimony before this committee, and I think it is a matter that
cannot be stressed too greatly. A very small number of people
who know where they are going can take over a disproportionate
number of posts of authority within an organization and due largely,
as the witness said, to the apathy of the bulk of the membership of
such an organization, completely control and dominate the group's 1
actions.
Proceed, Mr. Counsel.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you run for any offices other than that of vice
president of the union?
Mr. Lang. I held the office of recording secretary the 2 consecutive !
years after the year I held the vice presidency.
Mr. Tavenner. And during that period of time was it known to the
rank and file membership of your group that you had become a mem-
hrv of t]\e Communist Party?
Mr. Lang. No, it wasn't.
Mr. Tavenner. Approximately what was your majority when you
ran for election on those occasions?
Mr. Lang. I think that I polled a majority of possibly a third, a
little better than a third over my opponent.
Mr. Tavenner. That was when it was not known that you were a
member of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Lang. That is true.
Mr. Jackson. Could you have been elected to any of those offices
had the membership known you were a member of the Communist
Party?
Mr. Lang. No sir, I could not.
Mr. Tavenner. Well, did you have an occasion that rather proved
that a little later?
Mr. Lang. I am not sure that I understand the question.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you run for an office at a later date in which you
were embarrassed as a result of the position taken by some of your
Communist Party friends which affected your election?
rii(
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IK THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4835
Mr. Lang. I hardly would go so far as to say that it had any
iirect effect on my election, or, rather, the fact that I wasn't again
jlected, didn't gain the election, for the simple reason that my op-
bonent for that office has held that office continuously since 1942,
f I am not mistaken, and still holds it today, and I polled one-third of
;he votes at that particular election, and I think that has been prob-
ibly the highest score against him in the race of that kind for that
jffice. However, there was an incident, an unfortunate incident that
lid play a role to a certain extent, I will never know to what extent,
md that was that a letter purportedly written by Dave Buchanan
was read on the floor of the local union. Actually it had been written
3y his wife, and it recommended me as a candidate for the office and
50ught to run down the brother that held the office, and there is no
question but that influenced the voting to a certain extent.
Mr. Tavenner. It certainly served to identify you with the Com-
nunist Party if it was attributed to Dave Buchanan, did it not?
Mr. Lang, Well, Dave Buchanan was not a known Communist at
hat particular time.
Mr. Tavenner. At that time. I see. How would you describe the
efforts of the Communist Party group within your union as to success
)r failure ?
! Mr. Lang. Do you mean back during that period between 1943 and
IL946?
■ Mr. Tavenner. Yes.
[ Mr. Lang. I think there was a lot of weakness there, although they
did succeed in introducing certain resolutions and endorsing certain
resolutions. I think that they failed on most of the major things.
However, at tliat particular time that I was engaged with the Com-
munist Party, the major part of our work was directed toward trying
to keep down strikes, and a member of our union, who as I understood
at the time was under expulsion from the Communist Party, was labor
cliairnian of the blood bank for San Diego. That took in the entire,
all labor, that is, A. F. of L. labor in San Diego. I myself on the
Central Labor Council was cochairman of a war bond and war savings
stamp bunch, and so from that point of view 1 would say we did con-
tribute quite a bit.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the same group of the Com-
munist Party during your entire Communist Party membership, or
were you transferred to another group ?
Mr. Lang. I was with what could be described as the industrial
group or the labor group during nearly all of my participation or the
time that I was in the party, and it was only until, I believe, sometime
in 1945, late in 1945, that I was assigned to the South Bay Club. They
were starting an organization there and they informed me that they
were, and by reason of the fact that I lived close there I was assigned
to that group.
Mr. Tavenner. Wlio assigned you to it ?
Mr. Lang. I believe, if I am not mistaken, that it was Morgan Hull,
who was the organizer at that time. However, I could be wrong.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you give us the names of the members of the
South Bay cell group ?
Mr. Lang. Well, inasmuch as I attended only some very few meet-
ings there, I can give you those who did attend at those meetings, but
whether that was a complete list or not, I couldn't say.
4836 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
ter
W
jeri
f
lift
]I
In
m
There was Agnes Adams, Melita O'Brien, and Mrs. Acanfora.
Mr. Tavenner. A-c-a-n-f-o-r-a?
Mr. Lang. I wrote the name once, I remember very well, but I don'i
remember how I spelled it.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you recall the first name ?
Mr. Lang. Ella, E-l-l-a.
There was also Mr. and Mrs. Dugdale, Bert Dugdale.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you recall the wife's name?
Mr. Lang. Helen, I believe it was. And I believe that is all.
Mr. Doyle. At this point the record ought to show whether or nol
these meetings were restricted to Communist Party members, oi
whether they were semipublic. Were any outsiders there who wen
not members of the Communist Party, to your personal knowledge^
Mr. Lang. From time to time there were outsiders there, but these
meetings that I am referring to are meetings in which I knew those
present were members of the Communist Party. i
Mr. Jackson. They were closed meetings, the ones you have ref-
erence to ?
Mr. Lang. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. How long did you remain a member of the Commu-
nist Party after being assigned to this second group ?
Mr. Lang. I was inactive, so far as that group was concerned, on the
grounds that I had more pressing work within my own labor union,
and, therefore, I wasn't required to attend except as I saw fit, or when-
ever I was clear to do so, and when I left the party, it was in about
July of 1946, as near as I can remember.
Mr. Tavenner. And what ?
Mr. Lang. I just want to say that at that time Ella Acanfora was
the chairman of that particular group, chairman or dues collector
I don't know what they call it, but, at any rate, she had something
to do with sending out notices, and so forth, as to when meetings were
going to be held, and so forth, and she about that time had pressecj
me several times about my not attending those meetings, and as we
hold our elections in June in the painters' union, and I was defeated
after that, in June, that is the reason I established the time that it
must have been about that particular time. Apparently they recog-
nized that, then I was without a job, and there was no reason wliy
I shouldn't be put to work someplace else. However, I am only assum-
ing that, but the pressure was being put on me to attend meetings,
and it was at that time that I realized that I had to make a break
once and for all, so I addressed a letter to Mrs. Acanfora in which I
resigned from the Communist Party.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you receive a reply of any character?
Mr. Lang. No ; I didn't.
Mr. TA^^NNER. Was any effort made at a later date to get you to
return to the Comnmnist Party ?
Mr. Lang. No serious effort. However, different people that I
knew to be Communists approached me from time to time and said.
"Oh, you will come along; you will get over this and come along back/'
But that was the extent of their pressuring me to come back into the
party.
Mr. Tavenner. Well, what was the real reason that you left the
Communist Party ?
8i
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4837
Mr. Lang. Well, because after the Duclos letter came out I saw
I very drastic change in the activities in the general direction of the
Dommunist Party, and I just couldn't go along with that. It made
ne realize what a mistake I had made, and I was ready to break with
;he party.
Mr. Tavenner. What was this difference in direction that you re-
ferred to which brought you to the conclusion that you wanted no
Dart of it, and that you realized that you had made a mistake?
Mr. Lang. Well, during the time of my membership we were under
;he president, Earl Browder, who was the secretary of the Communist
Party, and Browder had ideas of cooperation and collaboration be-
ween progressive elements of all businesses, along with the working
Deople, for the benefit of everybody, and it was a very good program,
sounded fine, but Duclos in denouncing that, upset the applecart as
far as I was concerned, and l am sure a lot of other people must have
felt the same way.
Within, I would say, a week, after that letter was received, the
Communist Party cells had membership meetings everywhere
throughout the country in which that letter was discussed, and I
magine in a majority of the cases the letter was accepted as being
;orrect because Mr. Browder is no longer the head of the Communist
Party.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you voluntarily report any knowledge that you
iicquired from your Communist Party activities to any Government
igency?
Mr. Lang. I have given the Federal Bureau of Investigation as
aearly as full as possible a description of my activities during that
3eriod.
Mr. Tavenner. And, of course, you have severed your connections
fully and completely with the Communist Party ?
Mr. Lang. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Chairman, I think that is all I desire to ask
ihe witness.
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Doyle.
Mr. Doyle. The Duclos letter that you referred to, do you have the
approximate year when that came to your attention? Wasn't it in
May or June 1945 ?
Mr. Lang. I believe so, sir.
Mr. Doyle. Why would the constitution of the Brotherhood of
Painters and Decorators forbid membership in the Communist Party
to any member of that union ?
Mr. Lang. The A. F. of L. has always objected to Communists in its
membership, and I believe that is the position of the entire A. F. of L.,
and our union, just being a part of the big brotherhood, that, of course,
was in our constitution.
Mr. Doyle. I know, but you knew that was in the constitution and
yet you joined the Communist Party.
Mr. Lang. There were quite a few things about the constitution of
our brotherhood I didn't know at that time. I was actualy a new
member of the union myself, having been initiated in 1941.
Mr. Doyle. I was wondering why you, being an officer of the union
at the time you joined the Communist Party, did it.
Mr. Jackson. I assume that the fact that a union constitution stated
that no Communists could belong to the union would not in any way
4838 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
alter the determination of a Communist to get in if he possibly could.
Is that the case?
Mr. Lang. That is true.
Mr. Jackson. It might only spur him on to greater efforts in
attempting to attain membership in the union.
Mr. Doyle. But this gentleman went in on a 50-cent gag, and when
he found it wasn't a gag he stayed there.
Mr. Lang. There is one reason why my membership extended oveij
that long period of time, and that was because apparently the Com
munist Party members had a sort of a hands-off policy so far as I was
concerned, and I was never subjected to the same discipline that I am
sure most of the Communist members have been.
Mr. Doyle. I am sure I want to express my appreciation to you f oi
being vigorous and vigilant against the Communist conspiracy aftei
you had your eyes open. I said to another witness the same thing a
few hours ago, and I want to say it to you; I think it behooves g
young man who has been hoodwinked to go into the Communist Party
when you have your eyelids lifted, get out of it, and be vigorous anc
vigilant against it. It is not enough, as I see it, sir, for you men wh(
have been active in the conspiracy to merely withdraw and coast alon^
in one of the other political parties. I think it is up to you to con
tribute back to your Nation, if you can, something toward strengthen
ing your Nation, which you weakened while you were a member of th(
Communist Party.
I hope my remark as to why you went into it while you were i
member of this union in violation of your own constitution isn't to(
personal, and yet I mean it very definnitely, that I am shocked that yo\
members of the A. F. of L. are sometimes hoodwinked enough t(
do that thing.
When I say that, Mr. Chairman, I do not criticize, as you know, thi
two gi^eat patriotic branches of organized labor in our Nation. I re
spect very much their fight against the Communist conspiracy.
That is all.
Mr. Jackson. Thank you, Mr. Doyle.
I am sorry that what I have to say will not be carried to ever^
corner of San Diego and the surrounding territory, because it repre
sents a very serious situation and one which I think is reprehensible
A witness who appeared on yesterday, Mr. Herman, and who wil
be recalled as a witness who, at the behest of the Federal Bureau of In
vestigation, went into the Communist Party to make regular report:
to the United States Government on the activities of the Communis
Party was, following his appearance here on yesterday, dismisse(
from his employment. Nothing can more surely handicap the work o
this and other committees investigating the Communist conspirac;'
than this type of reprisal against those who come forward to give tin
committee, the Congress, and the American people the benefit of theii
personal knowledge of activities within the Communist Party.
The former Communist who has lived through the emotional anc
psychological ordeal of membership in the conspiracy and who testi
lies fully and in a manner marked by a quality of trustworthinesi
renders signal service to his country. To deny him rehabilitatior
and an opportunity to readjust himself politically, socially, and eco
nomically, is to render more reluctant others who might be moved t(
testify in the same manner.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4839
Mr. Berman, as I said, entered the Communist Party not out of any
ersonal wish to associate with conspirators, but at the behest of the
ederal Bureau of Investigation. The reprisal against him is made
ore reprehensible by virtue of this fact: For his voluntary service
|to his Nation he is now made the victim of severe reprisals.
The committee deplores the action of Mr. Berman's employers,^ and
of those whose actions in this regard do more to cripple the work of
this and others than could an}' frontal assault by the Communist
Party itself.
The committee can well understand reluctance on the part of an
employer to hire members of the Communist Party or those whose
status is not perfectly clear as to their loyalty, but to summarily dis-
charge an employee whose only sin is cooperation with the United
States Government is an action which will certainly meet with wide-
spread and understandable public criticism.
The committee today reiterates its thanks of yesterday to Mr. Ber-
man, and again emphasizes the service he has rendered to his country,
iiid for such a poor return.
Mr. DoTLE. I hope, Mr. Chairman, that tomorrow morning when
we are on the air, which I understand we are not now, that you will
read that statement again to the radio audience, so they may hear it.
Mr. Jackson. It is the intention of the Chair to again repeat this
statement tomorrow. In the interim the committee would like to ex-
press its thanks to you, sir, for your cooperation, and to express a
personal observation that your union has quite obviously done a
-:i)londid job of ridding itself of Communist influence. The same
^vonld appear to be generally true on the basis of the evidence received
\t this time with respect to the entire San Diego area, and the com-
• mittee does express its thanks to you for your cooperation and your
'help and you are excused from further attendance under the subpena.
[Applause.]
The Chair must again caution the audience against demonstrations
in the hearing room.
Do you have another witness?
Mr. Tavenner. Yes, sir. Mr. Oliver Hagan.
TESTIMONY OF OLIVER HAGAN
Mr. Jackson. Will you raise your right hand, please?
Do you solemnly swear in the testimony you are about to give before
this subcommittee, you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. Hagan. I do.
Mr. Tavenner. You are Mr. Oliver Hagan ?
Mr. Hagan. That is right.
I Mr. Tavenner. Are you accompanied by counsel ?
Mr. Hagan. No, I am not, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you desire counsel ?
Mr. Hagan. I do not.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Hagan, because of the lateness of the hour I
am not going to extend my examination of you. but I do want to inquire
iMr. Berman was subsequently reemployed and promoted. It is felt bv the committee
that a misunderstandinjr of the nature of his testimony resulted in an unfortunate and
nasty decision on the part of his employers.
4840 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES EST THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
into just 1 or 2 matters which I think would be helpful to the com-
mittee.
First of all, let me ask you, what is your trade or occupation ?
Mr. Hagan. At the present time I am a painting contractor and
general building contractor. j
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of a local painters' union ?
Mr. Hagan. Yes, I was.
Mr. Tavenner, Were you a member of the same union of which Mr;
Lang was a member ?
Mr. Hagan. Yes, I was.
Mr. Tavenner. When and where were you born ?
Mr. Hagan. I was born in Lees Summit, Mo., 1922.
Mr. Tavenner. When did you come to San Diego ?
Mr. Hagan. 1936.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you a member of the Communist Party at an3
time?
Mr. Hagan. Yes, I have been in the past.
Mr. Tavenner. When did you join and when did you leave the
party, if that is true ?
Mr. Hagan. I believe it was some time in 1943, to the best of m^
memory.
Mr. Tavenner. And when did you leave the Communist Party?
Mr. Hagan. I left the party in the first part of 1948.
Mr. Tavenner. You heard the testimony of Mr. John Lang, did yoi
not?
Mr. Hagan. Yes, I did.
Mr. Tavenner. Was your experience in the Communist Party quit*
similar to his ?
Mr. Hagan. Yes, it was quite similar. As a matter of fact, I wai
a member of the painters' union from 1943 until 1944, at the sami
time that he was, at which time I dropped out of the union to go int<
business for myself.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you speak a little louder, please ?
Mr. Hagan. Surely.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Lang near the end of his testimony referred U
the fact that he had not received the discipline within the Communis
Party that he understood some persons to have received.
Mr. Hagan. Well, I would say in answer to that, according to m^
experience there was little or no discipline at that period of time, par
ticularly in the groups in which I was active.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you recall whether or not there was a factiona
dispute within the Communist Party which did call for some rathei
drastic action being taken ?
Mr. Hagan. In 1948 there was a factional dispute of a nature whicl
ended in quite a bit of disruption within the party, causing it to fl]
pretty well in all directions.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you involved in that matter ?
Mr. Hagan. I was involved to the degree that the club to which 1
belonged at that time was suspended after having made certain criti-
cisms prior to a county convention.
Mr. Tavenner. You mean your club was suspended for criticizing
the action of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Hagan. The criticism was partially a criticism of policy, as i<
was applied locally, and partly a criticism of leadership because oJ
It
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4841
tlieir own personal conduct as leaders, and their attitude toward mem-
bership.
Mr. Tavenner. I believe I will ask you to describe that whole matter
to tlie committee and just what occurred, from the beginning to the
conclusion of it.
Mr. Hagan. Well, it was a general practice at that time, prior to a
county convention, for clubs to engage in what is known as precon-
vention discussion.
This discussion is to cover both past activities and policies and newly
proposed policies and activities of the future.
The criticism in this particular club, and 1 understand in at least one
other, was quite severe toward the undemocratic actions and policies
of leadership toward the rank and file, and critcism was not accepted
at all on the part of the leadership. As a matter of fact, prior to the
county convention the clubs involved were expelled and the county
jonvention was held without the knowledge of the expelled group, with
the exception of a few people within the group who were associated
with the county organization.
IVIr. Tavenner. Let's go back a little. Did your group hold a pre-
onvention meeting and elect delegates to the county — was it the county
3r State convention ?
Mr. Hagan. County.
Mr. Tavenner. To the county convention?
Mr. Hagan. Yes, prediscussion conventions were held and delegates
»vere elected.
Mr. Tavenner. And delegates were elected?
Mr. Hagan. That is true.
Mr. Tavenner. I want by your testimony to demonstrate the so-
:alled democratic principles of the procedure of the Communist Party.
You elected your delegates?
Mr. Hagan. That is true.
Mr. Tavenner. Wliat happened to those delegates after they were
elected ?
]\Ir. Hagan. These delegates were not recognized as legitimate dele-
gates to the convention, and the members of the club who were expected
'o be, and normally would have been, elected as delegates attended the
county convention ultimately.
]\Ir. Tavenner. In other words, when your group took action in the
nature of a criticism of the conduct of the Communist Party affairs
oy electing your delegates to the convention to discuss those matters,
:]iey were not seated as delegates?
IVIr. Hagan. No, they were not. As a matter of fact, the club was
5US]iended as a result of that.
Mr. Tavenner. Tell the committee who engineered that. Who was
it that brought about such a drastic procedure ?
Mr. Hagan. Well, at the time the county organizer of the Com-
munist Party was Bernadette Doyle, and perhaps I should bring up
5ome background.
Mr. Tavenner. Yes.
Mr. Hagan. As I said, it was my experience there was very little
iiscipline and the Communist Party was very much of an open affair,
:o my experience anyway, and in San Diego discipline had never been
luccessfully applied even after the Duclos article and the changing
Df Communist Party policy as regards to Browder's program.
4842 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
So with the coming of Bernadette Doyle discipline was to be in-
voked, and I suppose you might say the party brought up to standard,
and there was no doubt there was much to criticize in the methods
that were used, and more or less a dictatorial attitude on the part of
functionaries in their relations with the rank and file, with very little
explanation of why this or that was to be.
I mean, it was more or less "this is the way it shall be," and ask
no questions. And this was not to the liking or to the way things
normally are conducted in a democratic organization which claimed to
have democratic procedure, and in its constitution at the time it made
certain democratic guaranties toward the membership which at this
time was completely ignored.
So in the preconvention discussion and criticism of things that we
felt were wrong, and in suggestions that were brought up to be pre-
sented, it was felt that the leadership came under considerable crit-
icism itself, and it was my opinion that they were unable to accept
that criticism of the rank-and-file, and, therefore, the clubs were
suspended and the people they had expected to be elected were not
elected, which in itself, I suppose, constituted a revolt in their own
minds on the part of the rank and file in these clubs.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you play a part in that revolt ?
Mr. Hagan. At the beginning it was not playing a part, or it was
not so much being conscious of it until the criticism itself was presented
by different people, and then I became aware that this dissatisfaction
existed, and I was quite agreeable to the criticism because my own
experiences had been enough to tell me that they were legitimate crit-
icism.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you express your opinion?
Mr. Hagan. Yes ; I did.
Mr, Ta\:enner. What was the result of the expression of opinion
by you ?
Mr. Hagan. Well, I was accused of being antiparty.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you brought up and tried by the Communisfcl
Party for it?
Mr. Hagan. I was invited to attend a hearing, at which time there
were present those who had been suspended.
Mr. Tavenner. Were charges preferred against you ?
Mr. Hagan. Charges were made, charges that I had conducted anti-
party activities, which at the time was totally ill founded.
Mr. Tavenner. Your conduct had been confined to that of criticism
arising out of the things you have just told the committee?
Mr. Hagan. Criticism which was made provisions for in the consti-
tution of the party at that time.
(At this point Mr. Doyle assumed the chair.)
Mr. Tavenner. Quite apparently the Communist Party would nob '"!
tolerate criticism.
Mr. Hagan. I suppose there was a reason. Part of it was the egotismi
of the local functionaries and their inability to take criticism.
Mr. Tavenner. Wliat specific charges were presented against you?
Mr. Hagan. I was charged with having attended meetings with a
man named Harrison George, who at one time, I think, was an editor,
or something of the People's World and later was expelled perhaps
because he rebelled a bit himself, as I later learned. At the time I was
not aware that he had been expelled or charges were made.
m
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES EST THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4843
Mr. Tavenner. So you were accused of association?
Mr. Hagan. Yes.
Mr. Tavenner. With Harrison George?
Mr. Hagan. That is true.
Mr. Tavenner. Guilty by association.
Mr. Hagan. Yes; that is quite true. That is the vt^ay it worked,
Mr. DoYiJ5. Who did you say Harrison George was?
Mr. Hagan. He at one time was an official on the People's World,
111(1 I later learned after these hearings that he had been expelled
from the party for not writing something that he had been ordered
'() write which he felt he could not agree with.
Mr. Tavenner. That is quite interesting, after hearing criticisms by
he Communist Party against this committee, to find that they
proceeded against you on the principle of guilt by association.
Mr. Hagan. That is quite true; they did.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell us of any other charge that they made
i<rainst 3'ou?
Mr. Hagan, Well, I was charged with reading a letter — a letter by
Fiances Franklin, which I think itself constituted a criticism of party
)olicy. However, I had never seen the letter and had heard about it
probably a day before these hearings,
Mr. Tavenner. You were charged with having read it?
Mr. Hagan. Having read it; yes; that is true.
Mr. TA^'ENNER, Who preferred that charge against you?
Mr. Hagan. As I recall it was Nancy Resenfield, or Rosenfeld, who
nude that charge. She charged me with having read it and said that
t was antiparty literature, and I asked her was she sure it was anti-
)arty literature, and she said "yes," so I continued to ask her how she
viiew it was, and her reply was that she had been told it was very
letinitely.
Mr. Tavenner. Would she admit having read it herself?
Mr. Hagan. I asked her if she had read it. She said "No," she
lad not. I suppose it would have incriminated her if she had, so she
iidn't,
Mr. Tavenner. Very well. Was there any other charge placed
igainst you?
Mr, Hagan, There was no other definite charge. There were gen-
eral charges of antiparty activity, which at the time were totally
.iiitrue.
Mr. Tavenner. What was the result of these charges as far as you
^vere concerned?
Mr. Hagan. As far as that was concerned, I was being treated very
much the same as people who they condemned for the same actions,
you might say.
Mr. Tavenner. Well, were you suspended by the party?
Mr. Hagan. The clubs were suspended the next day after the club
;le legates were elected, and at a later date, without my knowledge,
the county convention was held and at that time, I understand by
leading in the Union-Tribune that I was expelled from the Communist
Party.
^Ir. Tavenner. Well, did you return to Communist Party meetings
it any time after that?
Mr. Hagan. No ; I certainly did not.
4844 coMMtnsriST activities est the state of California
Mr. Tavenner. Is that the end of your Communist Party expe-
rience ?
Mr. Hagan. Yes; that is the end as far as I personally am con-
cerned. I no longer had any connection with them, nor was I ever
asked to rejoin.
Mr. Tavenner. Wliat was the date of that occurrence ?
Mr. Hagan. To the best of my memory, I would say it was approxi-
mately June 1948.
Mr. Tavenner. Is there any other statement you desire to make
regarding the severance of your connection with the Communisti
Party?
Mr. Hagan. Well, I suppose that had there been discipline within
the party that my severance would have been much earlier than it
was. There were periods between 1943 and 1948 in which I was in
active, and my greatest period of activity was between probably some
where between 1947 and 1948, and I was active for a short time in
1943 and 1944.
Mr. Tavenner. To what extent was the Communist Party sue
cessf ul in your painters' union ?
Mr. Hagan. Well, I think that the previous witness, John Lang,.|i
did a very good and very accurate job of describing what went on
at the timt- of his membership and at the time I was also a member
of the unioi: with him, and, of course, in 1947 and 1948 they were
totally ineffective as far as making progress within the union was
concerned.
Mr, Tavenner. Mr. Chairman, I believe that is all I care to aski
the witness.
Mr. Doyle. May I ask you just a couple of questions.
You evidently became self-employed, a contractor in your own right.
Mr. Hagan. That is quite true.
Mr. Doyle. In 1946.
Mr. Hagan. 1944.
Mr. Doyle. 1944. Even when you became a contractor in your owpi
right you stayed in the party until 1948. How do you explain thati
Mr. Hagan. At that time staying in the party was something thati
was hard to put your finger on actually. My experience was that it
was very loose. I did not attend hardly any meetings in that period ^^^
of time, and I do not believe I paid dues more than a third of the
time, and that was at that time when it was collected by someone
who called on me.
Mr. Doyle. But you just said you were inactive during a period o4
years and then became more active in 1947 and 1948.
Mr. Hagan. In 1947 I returned to the union for a while. I took a
job with a contractor, and it was a pretty good job, so I worked out
of the local union for a period of about a year or perhaps less sometime
in the middle of 1947 to the first part of 1948. At that time I was
asked to become active in the building trade club of the Communist
Party, and I did, to a degree.
Mr. Doyle. Wliat was there, after you had been in and been inactive
to attract a type of man of your ability to go back in and become
active even when you were a successful contractor in your own right?
You were an employer, weren't you ?
Mr. Hagan. That is correct ; I was.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4845
Mr. Doyle. Well what was there attractive in that in 1947 and
L948 to you to make you be more active than you had been before?
Mr. Hag AN. There was no attraction as far as communism itself
ivas concerned. It was a progi*am of the Communists within the
mion to have better working conditions and higher wages, and the
auses in the main were honorable ones, you might say to the best of my
mowledge anyway, and these people I had known before, and I more
)r less worked with them.
Mr. Doyle. Have you been in any position since you were expelled
:o do anything to oppose the promulgation of the Communist Party
principles ?
Mr, Hagan. No; I don't suppose that I have actually or actively
)pposed the Communist Party. In the past few years I have been
juite busy making a living for myself and trying to establish myself
IS a businessman, and it has pretty well kept me occupied.
Mr. Doyle. Well, of course, again you heard me speak to 2 or 3 of
your young men, to urge you to do something to try to make up to your
'country and your community for the manifest weakness that a person
liad, malve up to the Nation for when you were a member of the Com-
nunist conspiracy, although you were apparently not thinking in
:erms of force and violence.
Mr. Hagan. No; certainly not.
Mr. Doyle. You certainly were not ; I can tell that.
Let me urge you also to do something vigorous and vigilant to
counter that subversive conspiracy of the Communist Party. I invite
you to do that for your country. I think it would be pleasant for you
:o do it. I know it would be, because I can tell and feel you have a
Treat ability that your country needs.
Mr. Hagan. Thank you.
Mr. Doyle. Do you have anything else, Mr. Counsel ?
Mr. Tavenner. No, sir ; I do not.
Mr. Doyle. Have you any other witness ?
Mr. Tavenner. No, sir.
Mr. Doyle. Then the committee will stand in recess until 9 o'clock
tomorrow morning.
(Whereupon, at 5 : 10 p. m., the hearing was adjourned to Wednes-
day, April 21, 1954, at 9 a. m.)
INDEX TO PART 7
INDIVIDUALS
Page
Acanfora, Ella 4836
Adams, Agnes 4836
Berman, Mildred 4823, 4825
Berman, Philip 4838, 4839
Browder, Earl 4837, 4841
Buchanan, David 4829, 4831, 4835
Callendar, Carl 4824,4825-4826 (testimony)
Coffey, Bertram 4799-4813 (testimony)
Doyle, Bernadette 4841, 4842
Duclos 4837,4841
Dugdale, Bert 4836
Dugdale, Mrs. Bert 4836
Easterman, William B 4812, 4813, 4818, 4820, 4826
Franklin, Frances 4843
Genser, Joseph 4799
George, Harrison 4842, 4843
Hagen, Oliver 4831,4839-4845 (testimony)
Hoyt, Hal 4831
Hull, Morgan 4835
Kleinman 4811
Lang, John 4828-4839, (testimony) 4840,4844
Laxon, Claude 4830, 4831
Laxon, Mrs. Claude 4830
Lessner, Milton 4811,4813^818 (testimony)
Lyra, La Verne 4826
Nixon, Vice President 4809
O'Brien, Melita 4836
Olson. ,Tohn B. (Ben) 4822^825 (testimony)
Richardson, Esco L 4819, 4820-4822 (testimonv)
Rissman, Robert R 4822, 4825
Rosenfield, Nancy (Rosenfeld) 4843
Shermis, Harry 4830, 4831
IShermis, Mrs. Harry 4830
Smith, Margaret (Senator) 4815
Taylor, Dan 4826
Tohacli, James E 4818-4819 (testimonv)
Vidaver, Matt 4830
Walsh, Patrick 4832
Wereb, Stephen 4801,4802. 4804
Zahalsky, Nathan 4826-4828 (testimony)
ORGANIZATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS
Ainorican Federation of Labor 4832,4833,4835,4837,4838
I'.rotherhood of Painters and Decorators 4831,4837
Central Labor Council 4829, 4832, 4835
Communist Partv, San Diego 4814, 4827
Hawthorne Club 4802, 4804
South Bay Club 4835
Ciingress of Industrial Organizations 4801,4804,4833
Daily People's World 4842, 4843
i
ii INDEX
Page
ExRmiiiGr Los AhetgIgs T^ouy
Federal Bureau of Investigation 4808,4811,4837,4839
Federal Housing Administration '*^j-i
New York University, School of Commerce 4suu
San Diego County Probation Department 4817
Scripps Institution of Oceanography 4824
Union-Tribune, San Diego 4S4d
World Federation of Labor 4»-^^
World Federation of Trade Unions 4Sdj, isdd
o
NVESTIGATION OF COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA— Part 8
HEARING
BEFORE THE
OMMITTEE ON UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
EIGHTY-THIRD CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
APRIL 21, 1954
(MORNING SESSION)
Printed for the use of the Committee on Un-American Activities
INCLUDING INDEX
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
47718 WASHINGTON : 1954
Boston Public Library
superintendent of Documents
SEP 8- 1954
COMMITTEE ON UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES
United States House of Repeesentatives
HAKOLD H. VELDE, Illinois, Chairman
BERNARD W. KEARNEY, New York FRANCIS E. WALTER. Pennsylvania
DONALD L. JACKSON, California MORGAN M. MOULDER, Missouri
KIT CLARDY, Michigan CLYDE DOYLE, California
GORDON H. SCHERER, Ohio JAMES B. FRAZIER, Je., Tennessee
Robert L. Kunzig, Counsel
Frank S. Tavenner, Jr., Counsel
Thomas W. Beale, St., Chief Clerk
Raphael I. Nixon, Director of Research
COURTNEY E. Owens, Acting Chief Investigator
CONTENTS
(Morning session)
Page
Lpril 21, 1954, testimony of :
Richard E. Adams 4848
William A. Wheeler 4867
Lloyd Hamlin 4867
ndex i
III
Public Law 601, 79th Congress
The legislation under which the House Committee on Un-Ameri-
an Activities operates is Public Law 601, 79th Congress [1946],
chapter 753, 2d session, which provides :
Be it enacted 'by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States
■)f America in Congress assembled, * * *
PART 2— RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Rule X
STANDING COMMITTEES
* * * 4> * * *
17. Committee on Un-American Activities, to consist of nine Members.
Rule XI
POWEKS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEES
# « * 4> * * *
(q) (1) Committee on Un-American Activities.
(A) Un-American activities.
(2) Ttie Committee on Un-American Activities, as a whole or by subcommittee,
is authorized to make from time to time investigations of (i) the extent, charac-
ter, and objects of un-American propaganda activities in the United States,
(ii) the diffusion within the United States of subversive and un-American propa-
ganda that is instigated from foreign countries or of a domestic origin and at-
tacks the principle of the form of government as guaranteed by our Constitution,
and (iii) all other questions in relation thereto that would aid Congress in any
necessary remedial legislation.
The Committee on Un-American Activities shall report to the House (or to the
Clerk of the House if the House is not in session) the results of any such investi-
gation, together with such recommendations as it deems advisable.
For the purpose of any such investigation, the Committee on Un-American
Activities, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized to sit and act at such
times and places within the United States, whether or not the House is sitting,
has recessed, or has adjourned, to hold such hearings, to require the attendance
of such witnesses and the production of such books, papers, and documents, and
to take such testimony, as it deems necessary. Subpenas may be issued under
the signature of the chairman of the committee or any subcommittee, or by any
member designated by any such chairman, and may be served by any person
designated by any such chairman or member.
RULES ADOPTED BY THE 83D CONGRESS
House Resolution 5, January 3, 1953
*******
RlTLE X
STANDING COMMITTEIES
1. There shall be elected by the House, at the commencement of each CoDi
gress, the following standing committees :
* ij: ^ >i: * * *
(q) Committee on Un-American Activities, to consist of nine members.
Rule XI
POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEES
*******
17. Committee on Un-American Activities.
(a) Un-American activities.
(b) The Committee on Un-American Activities, as a whole or by subcommittee!
is authorized to make from time to time, investigations of (1) the extent, chan
acter, and objects of un-American propaganda activities in the United States
(2) the diffusion within the United States of subversive and un-American proj
aganda that is instigated from foreign countries or of a domestic origin ani
attacks the principle of the form of government as guaranteed by our Constiti;
tion, and (3) all other questions in relation thereto that would aid Congres
in any necessary remedial legislation.
The Committee on Un-American Activities shall report to the House (or to th
Clerk of the House if the House is not in session) the results of any such invest)
gation, together with such recommendations as it deems advisable.
For the purpose of any such investigation, the Committee on Un-Americai
Activities, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized to sit and act at such time
and places within the United States, whether or not the House is sitting, ha
recessed, or has adjourned, to hold such hearings to require the attendance o
such witnesses and the production of such books, papers, and documents, ani
to take such testimony, as it deems necessary. Subpenas may be issued unde
the signature of the chairman of the committee or any subcommittee, or by an;
member designated by such chairman, and may be served by any person desig
nated by any such chairman or member.
INVESTmATION OF COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE
STATE OF CALIFOKNIA— Part 8
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1954
United States House of Representativtes,
SUBCOMMITT OF THE COMMITTEE ON Un-AmERICAN ACTIVITIES,
San Diego^ Calif.
PUBLIC HEARING
MORNING SESSION
The subcommittee of the Committee on Un-American Activities met,
pursuant to adjournment, at 9 a. m., in the Chamber of Commerce
iuilding, Hon. Donald L. Jackson (acting chairman), presiding.
Committee members present: Representatives Donald L. Jackson
ind Clyde Doyle.
Staff members present : Frank S. Tavenner, Jr., counsel ; William A.
\Vlieeler, staff investigator ; Mrs. Billie AVlieeler, acting for the clerk.
Isiv. Alexander. Mr. Tavenner and Mr. Chairman, may I have the
1( )()r for one moment ?
Mr. Jackson. No ; you may not have the floor.
Air. Alexander. I wish to reopen
Mr. Jackson. Will you please be seated until the hearing is open ?
Mr. Alexander. Mr. Jackson, I did not mean to interrupt or be dis-
30urteous.
Mr. Jackson. Will you please be seated ?
Mr. Alexander. May I have an opportunity
Mr. Jackson. That will depend upon the decision made in the morn-
mg.
Mr. Alexander. I have documentary evidence to show that testi-
mony was falsified. I want to re-open in its entirety all the testimony
in regard to Mr. Weihe.
Mr. Jackson. The committee will consider that at the appropriate
time.
Mr. Alexander. I think I should have that opportunity. I have
"been ill, Mr. Jackson.
Mr. Jackson. Will the gentleman suspend or it will be necessary for
us to remove him from the hearing room. This hearing is not in ses-
sion at the moment. At the proper time during the morning a de-
cision will be made on your request.
]\Ir. Alexander. I don't want this suppressed.
Mr. Jackson. The committee will be in order.
Wlio is your first witness ?
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Richard Adams.
4847
4848 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
TESTIMONY OP RICHAED E. ADAMS
s
Mr. Jackson. Will you be sworn, please, Mr. Adams ?
Do you solemnly swear in the testimony you are about to give be-
fore this subcommittee, you will tell the truth, the whole truth anc
nothing but the truth so help you God ?
Mr. Adams. I do.
Mr. Jackson. Be seated, please.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your name, please, sir ?
Mr. Adams. Richard E. Adams.
Mr. Tavenner. You are an attorney, Mr. Adams ?
Mr. Adams. Yes, practicing law in the city of San Diego.
Mr. Tavenner. You do not desire to have counsel, other counsel U
accompany you ?
Mr. Adams. Counsel, I shall act as my own counsel in the hearing
if I may.
Mr. Tavenner. When and where were you born, Mr. Adams?
Mr. Adams. I was born in Denver, Colo., October 20, 1912,
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, what your for-
mal education and training has been ?
Mr. Adams. High school graduate, Duluth Business College, anc
LL. B. degree from Balboa University in San Diego.
Mr, Ta\'enner. Mr. Adams, when did you first take up your resi
dence in the State of California ?
Mr. Adams, Sometime in September 1943.
Mr. Tavenner. Prior to that time where did you reside?
Mr. Adams, I resided at Duluth, Minn.
Mr. Tavenner. How long were you a resident of Duluth, Minn. ?
Mr. Adams. From January 1939 until August 1943.
Mr. Tavenner, Prior to taking up residence at Duluth, Minn., ii
1939, where did you reside?
Mr. Adams. I resided at Crosby and Brainerd, Minn.
Mr. Tavenner. When did you first take up your residence a
Crosby ?
Mr. Adams. 1934.
Mr. TA^'ENNER. Will you tell the committee, please, briefly, how yoi
have been employed since 1934 ?
Mr. Adams, Well, from October — the dates are approximate, thai
is, the time is approximate, to the best of my recollection — fron
October 1935, and if I may refresh my memory from notes.
Mr. Tavenner, That is quite all right.
Mr. Adams. From October 1935 to March 1936, 1 was employed as 8
timekeeper.
From 1936 to January 1938 I was employed as camp superintendent f
warehouse superintendent for the Farm Security Administration,
stationed at Baudette, Minn.
March 1938 to June 1940, employed on the Adult Education Pro-
gram, Works Progress Administration, Crosby, Minn,, Duluth, Minn
April 1942 to August 1943, a clerk for a construction company in
Duluth.
August 1943 to July 1944, payroll clerk for a ship construction
company in National City, Calif.
July 1941 to January 1945, a reporter for the People's Daily World,
the Labor Leader, San Diego Daily Journal.
il
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4849
January 1945 to October 1945, a cashier in a cafe in San Diego.
October 1945 to April 1946, I believe there was a period in there I
as job dispatcher for a local labor union, reporter for the Federated
ress, manager of the Community Book Store.
xVpril 1946 to September 1947, salesman.
September 1947 to June 1950, law school, Balboa University.
April 1951, to the present time, attorney at law.
]Mr. Jackson. You have been busy.
jNIr. Adams. Thank you.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Adams, will you tell the committee, please,
liether at any time while a resident of the State of Minnesota or at
ny time while a resident of the State of California you have been
filiated with the Communist Party.
Mr. Adams. Counsel, will the committee, before I answer that ques-
on, promise me a transcript of this proceeding?
Mr. Jacksoist. The Chair will state that a transcript of the proceed-
ig may be obtained at the expense of the witness from the reporting
nil. The Chairman at this time will approve purchase by you of
K'ii a transcript.
Mr. Adams. Thank you.
Will the reporter please read back the question?
(The question was read by the reporter.)
Mr. Adams. I have been a member of the Communist Party.
Mr. Tavenner. Where did you first become a member of the Com-
nmist Party?
Mr. Adams. I first joined the Communist Party in the city of
linneapolis, Minn., sometime in 1935. I was expelled from the
'ommunist Party in the city of Duluth, Minn., in 1939.
I rejoined the Communist Party in the city of San Diego, Calif., in
044, and was once more expelled from the Communist Party in the
itv of San Diego sometime in the early part of 1946.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, the circum-
tances under which you first joined the Communist Party, and also
he circumstances under which you were expelled in 1939?
Mr. Chairman, inasmuch as this relates to the period in which the
witness was a member of the Communist Party in Minnesota, I do
lot desire to ask the witness and prefer that he not go in detail into
ho question of membership, or in great detail into his experience in
he Communist Party in Minnesota, as I would like to take that testi-
Qony in executive session for the purpose of further study and in-
'estigation by the committee.
Mr. Jackson. Very well.
tMr. Adams. Preliminarily, counsel, I would like to state that this
vhole matter has previously been inquired into by a subcommittee of
he Board of Bar Examiners before I was admitted to the practice of
aw in the State of California. I passed the bar examination in Oc-
ober of 1950, was called before the committee, I believe, sometime
luring January of 1951, at which time I was placed under oath, and the
committee inquired into my past political affiliation, my past political
ictivity, my past association. I was later informed that I had sus-
ained the burden of proof inasmuch as I had proved good moral
';haracter, which was the issue there, and was thereafter admitted to
i he bar.
47718 — 54 — pt.
4850 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Now, in answer to the question : I grew up in a mining community
an iron mining community in northern Minnesota. I saw the effect
of the depression in 1929 upon the people of that part of the countrj!
I observed that the mine workers were denied tlie right to join a unioi
under penalty of discharge by the steel trust, I watched the rise o
fascism in Europe.
I joined the farm labor movement of Governor Olson and Elme
Benson. I believed in the cooperative commonwealth idea on whic.
that movement was founded.
Upon the advent of the New Deal and its relative slow progress i:
adjusting injustices at home, or in opposing fascism abroad, I looke»
around for a more rapid solution to the problem, and at that time i
appeared to me that the Communist Part}^ was the organization whic!
had this solution. It opposed fascism abroad and sought governmer
ownership at home.
So when I was invited to join I did so.
I believe part of the question was the conditions surrounding m
expulsion from the party in 1939, is that right?
Mr. Tavenner. That is correct, but before proceeding to ths
phase of the question, will you tell the committee, please, whethe
you attained any position of leadership in the Communist Party i
the State of Minnesota ? In other words, what positions, if any, di
you hold ?
Mr. Adams. As far as I can recall now, I was secretary of the locj
unit or branch, and not cells, by the way, and a member of the sectio
committee which at that time would roughly correspond to the count
committee.
Mr. Doyle. May I ask about how old you were at that time ?
Mr. Adams. I was born in 1912. I believe it would be about twenty
two.
What is the question ?
Mr. Tavenner. The question now is. Will you tell the committee tl
circumstances under which you left the party in 1939 ?
Mr. Adams. Well, when war broke out in Europe in 1939 I thougl
the United States should join with the Allies immediately to deiei
Hitler and Mussolini, and, of course, at that time Mussolini was n(
in the war yet. Italy was still a non-belligerent.
I attempted to convince the Communist Party of this, but was ui
successful. I believe that the Russian-German or the Soviet noi
aggression pact, did serve the short time interest of the Soviet Unioi
and I felt that the Soviet Union at that time was fully justified i
entering into such a pact, because, if you will recall, she did not desii
to have Hitler do the same thing to her as the Japanese were doin
to China, while we stood on the sideline and furnished the gas, oi
and steel, and the wherewithal for them to do it.
So from that point of view I felt that the nonaggression pact froi
the Soviet point of view, was justified. However, I felt, too, tha
Hitler was still as great a threat or a bigger threat to the United State
and ultimately to the Soviet Union in 1939 and 1940 than he was i
the earlier part of the thirties.
I further thought that if the United States joined with the wester
allies against Hitler they could defeat Germany without the aid of th
Soviet IJnion. I am convinced now, however, that that might hav
been a mistake. However, I didn't happen to be foreign minister o
K
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4851
he Soviet Union, I didn't happen to be in a leading position in the
Jonimunist Party in this country, and I must say that the overwhehn-
ng" majority of the Communists with whom I discussed this question
Nere opposed to my point of view.
So it was because of this difference of opinion with the Communists
hat I was expelled in 1939, and I believe that was correct, because no
evolutionary movement can tolerate within its ranks a difference of
opinion because that might be fatal.
Mr. Ta\tenner. Were you not then permitted to express your own
, iews and opinions on political matters, if they were contrary to the
ine of the Communist Party? Is that, in substance, what you are
^aying?
Mr. Adams. Yes. This debate raged in the section committee with
I lot of intensity, and when the vote was taken, I do not remember
he exact number, but I think the vote was something like 16 to 1. I
vas the one.
Mr. Jackson. It points up, does it not, Mr. Adams, the fact that
here is no place in the Communist Party for a difference of opinion
vlien the difference extends to basic doctrines of the party?
2\lr. Adams. That is correct. In no revolutionary movement can
here be a difference of opinion, and I think the same thing holds true
n many other organizations. You cannot belong to many organiza-
;ions and have a difference of opinion basically with the aims, ob-
ectives, tactics, and programs of that organization.
Mr. Doyle. I notice you apply the term revolutionary movement to
;he Communist Party. "V^'liy do you do that ?
Mr. Adams. Well, Congressman, has there ever been any denial that
;he Communist movement o^ all countries, and the international Com-
nunist movement particularly, is not a revolutionary movement? If
50, 1 have been sadly misled.
Mr. Doyle. Well, I am not saying. Manifestly the purport of my
][uestion was to get a short statement from you based on your expe-
ience and analysis for the record, for the information of those who
nay hear or read. That is why I asked you the question.
Mr. Adams. Did I term the Communist movement a revolutionary
novement ^
Mr. DoTLE. Yes.
Mr. Adams. It is a revolutionary movement. A true Communist
novement must of necessity be a revolutionary movement.
Mr. Jackson. There are several types of revolutions — social revolu-
tion, a violent revolution, or both. We would like to have clarification
)f what you mean by revolution. Do you mean social evolution, which
s also a revolution, or do you mean the use of force and violence,
" IS usually understood in connection with a violent revolution ?
Mr. Adams. Congressman, I have been listening to these hearings
" 'or the past few days, and really, I think the committee's leg is being
Dulled by some of these friendly witnesses.
Mr. Jackson. That may be the case. However, that is hardly re-
'sponsive to what I mean to be an honest and fair question.
Mr. Adams. I shall respond to your question. Congressman. I told
i^ou Saturday, or I believe you were not present Saturday when I made
;he statement, I should answer all questions put to me to the best of
^ ny recollection, knowledge, and ability.
Mr. Jackson. Thank you very much. That is all we want.
4852 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Adams. Congressman, you do not have to worry about that.
However, to decide the question of whether or not the Communist
movement is a revohitionary movement. I think that we shoukl go to
the authorities, as an attorney, and I think counsel will agree with
me, and we don't go out in the street and take hearsay to determine a
question.
Now, I think if you desire I could quote in about 3 minutes excerpts
from the Communist Manifesto, which was the original document
written by Marx and Engels in 1848.
Mr. Jackson. Yes, and with which document the committee is
familiar, but again the point of my question is directed to the term,
"revolutionary movement." The basic documents of communism sine©
the Manifesto state very definitely that it is a revolutionary movement.
I should like to have you, out of your experience, express your personal
ideas as to what constitutes the revolutionary aspects of communism
in the United States.
Mr. Adams. Well, Congressman, the basic tenet of the Communist
movement in all countries of the world is that there must be an aboli-
tion of private property.
Private property, and I mean by private property the abolition ol
private ownership of the means of production. Xow, naturally, ir
any state where the government guarantees the ownership of private
2)roperty, such as our Government does in this country, it would be,
necessary for a drastic change to be made in that government before i
even the preliminary portion of a Communist program could be
placed in effect, as INIarx sets forth in the Manifesto, with which ]'
have been furnished a copy by the committee, for which I thank you
However, and this is the point, and I tiiink it is a very basic point
where I feel that this committee's leg is being pulled, that Lenin ii
State and Revolution sets forth 3 conditions which must exist befort
there can be a Communist revolution in any country, and those 3 con
ditions are very simple.
You must have a situation where the overwhelming masses or ma
jority of the people are dissatisfied with the economic and social con
ditions in the country and desire a change.
You must have some sort of a governmental crisis; secondly, wher
the political organization which is directing the political destinies o
the Nation cannot rule or guide in the same manner any longer, an(3
thirdly, you must have a revolutionary party trained, ready, willing
and able to take over.
Now, all three of these conditions. Congressman, must concur ii
point of time. Without all three of those conditions there could b
no possibility of a Marxist revolution, and I do not think anyone tha
believes in Marxist philosophy would try to start a revolution with
out that.
Now, when we apply that situation to our own country, we find tha
with few exceptions, maybe in 2 or 3 historical periods, one of thos
conditions existeel, but never 3 of them at the same time, which mean
that that country is not rfaced with a Communist revolution, there i
not about to be a Communist revolution in this countiy, and the Com
munist threat, insofar as a domestic revolution in America, is really ;
bogeyman, and a straw man, because it is utterly impossible, even ac
cording to the Marxist theory, for a Communist revolution to tab
place unless those three conditions exist.
f)t
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4853
Mr. Jackson. May I say with respect to that, it is very interesting,
and I am very happy to have your opinion, but none of those three
conditions which you have outlined existed at the time there were
operating in the Nation's capital 2 or 3 espionage rings which were
extracting from the top secret liles of the United States Government
information and documentation essential to tlie well being and safety
and the security of the Nation.
Now, whether or not the conditions exist for violent overthrow of
the Government by force and violence, there is a constant danger of
subversive activities, which do not directly relate to the armed over-
throw of the Government of the United States by force and violence
tomorrow, but which still constitute a menace to the safety and security
of this country.
We have two matters to consider relative to your three points. I
don't think anyone contends that the coup d'etat in Prague, with not
more than 10 percent of the population being members of the Com-
numist Party, represented tlie people of Czechoslovakia.
Mr. Adams. May I interject here, did you read the statistics of the
last democratic election in Czechoslovakia?
Mr. Jackson. Yes, I am familiar with them. I made quite a study
of it in the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House, which went
into all the statistical data relative to the situation as it existed there
previous to the overthrow of that democracy. However, this group
is academic.
Proceed, Mr. Counsel.
]Mr. Tavenner. Wasn't the purpose of the Communist Party during
the time that you were a member, both in JVIinneapolis as well as in
California, to increase its membership so as to increase its power at the
time that a revolutionary movement would have a chance of success?
Mr. Adams. It is the purpose of the Communist Party not only in
America but in all countries of the world to increase their members so
I hey may increase their power, and to develop from those members a
revolutionary organization, ready, willing, and able to take a political
power when the time comes. That is no secret. That is correct.
Mr. Tavenner. I understand that in 1944 you reaffiliated with the
Communist Party here in San Diego.
]Mr. Adams. Yes. At that time I was elected first a delegate to the
Central Labor Council of the A. F. of L. here from the Office Workers'
Union. There I became interested in what the Communists were
doing, and when I was invited to rejoin I made application. It was
a period of time before my application cleared. I assume it had to be
cleared with Minnesota, which was the policy at the time when a
person had been expelled from the organization.
Mr, Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, more in detail
the circumstances under which you became a member in 1944?
Mr. Adams. Yes, counsel. By 1944 the Communist position on the
war was the same as my own, and I might add the same as millions of
other people in this country, that is, the central objective of the Com-
munist Party in 1944 was to win the war.
I felt that my position in 1939 had been vindicated, and also by that
lime the Communist Party's domestic program had been watered down
by Earl Browder, until really it was somewhere to the right of the old
farmer-labor movement in Minnesota.
4854 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA !
I became interested in what the Communists were doing in San
Diego, so I made application, and eventually that application was
accepted. I think it was mainly their activity in the winning of the
war that motivated me at that time.
Mr. Tavenner. When you became a representative of the 1 )ffice
Workers' Union on the Central Labor Council of this area, were you
a member of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Adams. I am quite sure not. I became a delegate to the Ceiitral
Labor Council by writing a letter to the Tribune denouncing its stand
on the war, which was published, and the fellow that was running
the union immediately appointed me a delegate to the Central Labor
Council, and I was not a member of the Communist Party, as far as
I can recall, at that particular time.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you find, after becoming a member of the
Communist Party, that there were other Communist Party members
on the Central Labor Committee, counsel ?
Mr. Adams. I believe there were other Communist Party members
on that committee at that time.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you know that of your own personal knowledge ?
Mr. Adams. Counsel, this has been 8 or 10 years ago, and time has
a way of tricking the memory of people, and I would hate to dc
someone an injustice. I am of the j^resent impression that there were
other Communists in the Central Labor Council.
Mr. Ta\i:nnek. Of course, I cannot ask you what your impression
was. It is only in the event that you have a recollection.
Mr. Adams. Let's say, then, so we don't do an injustice to anyone,
that I do not recall at this particular time.
Mr. Tavenner. To whom did you submit your application for mem-
bership in the Communist Party in 1944 ?
Mr. Adams. Council, I don't want to try to direct the way the
hearing is going, but I fully understand that this committee, and all
of it, as of all the witnesses, are going to ask me the names of the
people I associated with during this period, and I would like to save
that for the end of my testimony, if I may.
Mr. Tavenner. I don't see that it makes any difference particularly,
Mr. Adams. Let's save it for the dessert, shall we ?
Mr. Jackson. Just a minute. Let's let the committee run the com-
mittee, and counsel will proceed in whatever order he has determined
so far as the questions are concerned.
Mr. Tavenner. To whom did you submit your application for
membership ?
Mr. Adams. Counsel, that involves three things. It involves, first
of all, a question of personal conscience. That is, I feel that I could
not in good conscience give this committee the names of people whom
I knew to be Communists. I feel this for two reasons. I may make
a mistake. It has been 8 to 10 years since I knew these people. I
don't know what they are now. They might feel about politics and
economics the same as I do today, which would be an injustice to them
to be named before this committee.
Secondly, there is this particular question, and it is a legal question.
I do not know what these people are doing today. I understand that
the prosecution under the Smith Act was a prosecution and a convic-
tion for perjury — not for perjury, for conspiracy. A conspiracy, as
I
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4855
^ou all know, can be in the eyes of the law a continuing thing. Mem-
)ers of a conspiracy may be liable for the acts of their co-conspirators
■ven though not there. It is only as a result of having withdrawn and
naking that knowledge known to other members of the conspiracy
hat in the eyes of the law a person may not be liable for a conspiracy.
Now, I did not withdraw from the Communist Party. I was
hrown out of the Communist Party, and I did not submit any letter
)f recommendation. I do not know what these people have been doing
dnce, and frankly, I am not going to put myself in a position where
iomebody can come along and wrap me up for something some joker
las done in the last 8 years that I know nothing about.
So for that reason, counsel, I feel I cannot answer that question.
Mr. Jackson. Do you decline to answer the question?
Mr. Adams. I do respectfully decline to answer that question.
Mr. Jackson. And for the reasons you have stated?
Mr. Adams. Yes, and for the further reason, counsel, there is no
aw in this country which could cause me to give evidence which might
oe used against me.
Mr. Jackson. In other words, you are pleading the fifth
imendment ?
Mr. Adams. Primarily, the first.
Mr. Jackson. And secondarily ?
Mr. Adams. And secondarily the fifth. For safety's sake, I might
throw in all the rest of the 22 and all of the Constitution.
Mr. Jackson. Yes; and some witnesses have added the Ten Com-
aaandments.
Mr. Adams. And I think the United Nations' charter might be well
here, too, and all of the covenants.
Mr. Jackson. It will be understood you are pleading all of them,
including the two legal reasons under the Constitution.
Mr. Adams. Yes, but only for the purpose of naming these people
who might have done something since I knew them that I might have
been responsible for.
Mr. Jackson. I think possibly the course of counsel's questioning
will develop further questions which will also require an answer, and
in that event and in the interest of saving time it will be sufficient
for the committee, without objection, if the declination is based on
the grounds previously stated for the same reasons.
Mr. Adams. In other words, a reference to that same statement?
Mr. Jackson. Rather than enumerating all of them.
Mr. Doyle. I think that is a good ruling, Mr. Chairman, and will
save time.
Mr. Jackson. In the meanwhile, and with reference to the last
question, the witness is directed to answer the question.
Mr. Adams. Congressman, are you directing me to answer that
question ?
Mr. Jackson. Yes.
Mr. Adams. I have just told you why I refuse to answer.
Mr. Jackson. The direction still stands. Do you further decline
to answer ?
Mr. Adams. Oh, surely. Is this an implied threat there might be
a contempt citation ?
4856 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Jackson. It wasn't a threat of anything. Is your declinatioi
based on the reasons previously given ?
Mr. Adams. Yes.
Mr. Jackson. Proceed, Mr. Counsel.
Mr. Tavenner. To what group or unit of the Communist Part;
were you assigned in becoming a member in 1944 ?
Mr. Adams. I was assigned to a branch in San Diego which wa
known as the Logan Heights Branch.
Mr. Tavenner. How long did you remain a member of that branch
Mr. Adams. I do not exactly recall. I attended a very few meeting
of that branch. Later on the branches were more or less merged h
one citywide organization. Then still later on the citywide organiza
tion was divided up into branches once more. So I went from th
Logan Heights branch to the citywide group, back to a branch in tb
South Bay area.
Mr. TA\rENNER. Wliat was the name of the branch in the South BaN
area when you were assigned to that general area ?
Mr. Adams. The South Bay Branch, if I recall correctly.
Mr. Tavenner. How many persons composed the membership of th
Logan Heights Branch of the party when you became a member ?
Mr. Adams. I could not give you any definite things on that,
might have been 10, it might have been 50. I have no way of knowing
I never saw the membership list and it is just my recollection at thi
time.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you recall the approximate number of the mem.
bership of the South Bay Branch?
Mr. Adams. No, I don't, but it was my impression it was consider
ably smaller than the Logan Heights Branch.
Mr. Tavenner. During the period of your membership in San Diegc
did you become an official of either of these groups or hold any othe
position in the Communist Party ?
Mr. Adams. I was elected to the executive committee of San Dieg
County in 1944, and again in 1945.
Mr. Tavenner. Wliat were your duties as a member of the execu
tive committee?
Mr. Adams. I was mainly concerned with the press at that time.
Mr. Tavenner. What you mean, mainly concerned with the press
Mr. Adams. My responsibility was to report the San Diego new;
to the People's Daily World, to check with the people that were pro
moting the circulation of the Daily World.
Mr. Tavenner. Was that your particular task on this executive
committee ?
Mr. Adams. Yes.
Mr. Tavenner. That was the county executive committee ?
Mr. Adams. Yes.
Mr. TA^^NNER. Will you tell the committee how that executive com-
mittee was organized ?
Mr. Adams. As far as I remiember, the executive committee was
made up of people elected by the various groups.
Mr. Tavenner. How many persons were on that committee?
Mr. Adams. I don't recall the exact number. There might have
been 7. There could have been 14.
Mr. Tavenner. What were the functions of the other members oJ
this committee ?
6lf
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4857
Mr. Adams. Well, the organizational plan of the Communist Party
s well known, and I think the San Diego organization pretty well cor-
responded to the other organizations in that certain people were as-
signed in the executive committee to carry on the activities in various
ields. .
Mr. Tavenner. Will you explain to the committee the general
liiture of those assignments and the fields in which they were to
j])erate?
Mr. Adams. Well, counsel, I am really trying to answer this to the
jtst of my ability, but the San Diego Communist Party always was
I strange party to me, in that nobody seemed to ever do things as I
Kid been taught that Communists were supposed to do.
In other words, the organization was a very haphazard organiza-
ion. No one, seemingly, was too responsible for anything, and
naturally no one carrying out the job that they were assigned to.
Now, people in the executive committee were responsible for re-
•ruiting members. Other people would naturally be responsible for
:he circulation of the literature. That is, to the best of my recoUec-
ion, about the 3 divisions.
Mr. Tavenner. Who was in charge of the recruitment of new mem-
oers, or the work of recruitment of new members from the executive
•ommittee of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Adams. I will decline to answer that, counsel, and refer you to
my statement on the previous questions as the reason for my
declination.
Mr. Jackson. The witness is directed to answer the question.
Mr. Adams. I shall. Congressman, answer your direction in the
-aiiie manner.
Mr. Tavenner. Who was in charge of the work of distribution of
Communist Party literature?
Mr. Adams. The same answ^er for the same reason.
Mr. Jackson. The witness is directed to answer the question.
Mr. Adams. And my answer to you, Congressman, is the same.
j\Ir. Tavenner. Who was the head of the Communist Party at the
time you were a member of the executive committee, that is, the head
of the party in San Diego County?
Mr. Adams. I shall decline to answer that question.
Mr. Jackson. The witness is directed to answer the question.
Mr. Adams. And my answer, Congressman, is the same, upon the
grounds previously stated, and I wish the record to show that any
time I refuse to name an individual it is for the reasons previously
stated.
Mr. Jackson. It will be understood by the committee, without
objection, that when the witness' refusal to answer is entered, it will
bo upon the grounds previously stated.
Mr. Adams. Thank you. Congressman. Also, counsel, I would like
tr) add one other thing and have it apply to the refusal before, that
this information is cumulative and it is well known that it is not
necessary that this committee have cumulative information ; that this
committee has the answers to the questions which they already asked
me. in my opinion.
]Mr. Jackson. That may be your opinion, but let the Chair state
that the Chair is not personally in possession of all of the information
47718— 54^pt. 8 3
4858 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
to which the questions are directed and I am confident Mr. Doyle is
not in possession of that information.
Mr. DoTLE. I wisli the witness to know tliat I am not in possession
of any information as to what your Communist Party activities were.
Mr. Adams. I am telling you about it, though.
Mr. Doyle. So your connection with the Communist Party and
who you functioned with in the Communist Party is very material, sir.
Mr. Adams. Are you telling me, Congressman, you didn't know
anything about my previous activities until you got here today ?
Mr. Doyle. I am telling you that only superficially did I read what
your record was.
Mr. Jackson. I will make it more positive than that. I had no
knowledge until I took this chair of your detailed activities within
the Communist Party.
Mr. Adams. Then you do not read the reports of your investigators
before you take the chair ?
Mr. Jackson. No, not necessarily. In your case I did not.
Mr. Adams. That is an astounding statement.
Mr. Jackson. Well, I don't know that it is so astounding. I imagine
that in judicial proceedings throughout the country that it would be
very unusual for a judge to read all the testimony that had been
developed. I don't relate that to this committee, but I do not think
it is at all unusual to approach a witness objectively.
Mr. Doyi.e. Mr. Chairman, I happen to be a member of the bar, the
California bar, and I have known of occasions when busy lawyers have
gone into the courtroom for trial without having previously read the
records, and I assume this lawyer has done that, too.
Mr. Adams. I do it all the time, especially in criminal cases. I find
it much easier to defend them.
Mr. Doyle. That is right.
Mr. Jackson. Proceed, counsel.
Mr. Tavenner. What was the chief activity of the Communist Party
in San Diego at the time you were a member of the executive com-
mittee?
Mr. Adams. Recruiting membership, selling literature, extending
the circulation of the Daily World.
Mr. Ta\t:nner. Were you a member of the Office Workers' Union
during the entire period of your membership in San Diego?
Mr. Adams. I joined the Office Workers' Union before I rejoined
the Communist Party.
Mr. Tavenner. And you were still a member of the Office Workers'
Union at the time you left the party ?
Mr. Adams. I am not too sure on dates, but think I was. I wouldn't
want to be positive, make a positive statement, because my memory
fails me.
Mr. TA^^NNER. Were there other members of the Communist Party
within your local union ?
Mr. Adams. Not to my knowledge.
Mr. TA^'ENNER. Did you endeavor to recruit any members in the
Communist Party from your local union?
Mr. Adams. No.
Mr. Tavenner. Was any effort made, as far as you know, by other
Communist Party members to recruit members into the Communist
Party from your local union ?
:
«i
la
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES EST THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4859
Mr. Adams. Not from my local union, counsel, no.
Mr. Tavenner. Is there any special reason for that that you know
P? You say, one of the main objectives was to recruit members.
Mr. Adams. Yes, that is correct, but the Communist Party in the
nited States, as els where in the world, naturally concentrates on
'cruitment of industrial workers, and that is not from the security
iizle either, Congressman, but that has been a program before the
•curity problem arose, and if your forces are limited, you would
iturally assign them as much as possible to recruit people from in-
j.-try, and office workers are not considered industrial workers in any
■nse of the word.
Mr. Jacksox. Just to have the record straight on the matter of
lift her or not there is an effort made to direct into industrial channels,
it'ic- is sworn testimony before the committee, and I believe it was
neloped during the course of the investigation into the activity of
i(> C^ommunist Part}' in District 4, which comprises Maryland and
It' District of Columbia, that in some instances office workers were
cruited into the party and directed to work in the Sparrow's Point
a lit of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation.
There is other sworn testimony which indicates beyond any per-
Iventure of a doubt that a determined effort was made to direct
oikers into industry who had no previous training in industry.
Proceed, Mr. Counsel.
.Mr. Adams. Yes, Congressman, the direction of people into indus-
y is common practice on the part of the Communist Party.
Mr. Jackson. Very well. I felt that that matter was not made
ear in your statement, and as it stood it might indicate that the
ommunist Party did not attempt to infiltrate people into defense
ants.
Mr. Adams. Take this whole point of my refusal to answer names
1 individuals, I don't know what other people did.
Mr. Jackson. What we are trying to determine, is what the people
the Communist Party are doing today. We would like to know
hat their activities are.
Mr. Adams. I think you know, Congressman.
Mr. Jackson. Proceed, counsel.
Mr. Tavenner. I am not sure whether you specifically answered
ly question whether or not to your knowledge an effort was made
Y the Communist Party to recruit members from your local union,
le Office Workers' Union.
]Mr. Adams. The answer to that, counsel, I made is no.
Mr. Tavenner. How long did you remain a member of the Com-
unist Party in San Diego?
Mr. Adams. I was expelled from the San Diego Communist Party
I the early part of 1944. No, wait a minute. 1946.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you recall whether during that period there was
group of the Communist Party in San Diego generally referred to
1 a professional branch or group of the party ?
Mr. Adams. I have no knowledge of any professional branch or
roup.
Mr. Ta%t:nner. Did you acquire information during your Commu-
Lst Party membership indicating to you that such a group did exist?
Mr. Adams. The answer to that would be no. I don't believe I did.
have no present recollection of having acquired any such knowledge.
4860 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
I think such a group was not existent at that time, because I am quite
sure if there had been such a group I might have been assigned to it,
So I base my answer mainly on that.
Mr. Tavenner. Well, at that time you were not a member of the
legal profession. Just what was the nature of your employment dur-
ing the period in 1944 to 1946 ? You have told us, but I do not recaU
exactly what you said about that period.
Mr. Adams. Assistant paymaster, newspaper reporter, job dispatch-
er, writer.
Mr. Ta\t:nner. Well, from that employment, the nature of thai
employment, it is not necessarily true that you would have been ad-
mitted to a professional cell or group of the party, would it?
Mr. Adams Not necessarily, that is correct. But if there had beei
such a group I am sure I would have had some knowledge about it
and at this time I have no recollection of any such knowledge, and ]
don't believe there was such a group at that time.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you have any experience with professiona
groups of the Communist party in Minnesota ?
Mr. Adams. Very little; mainly among teachers.
Mr. Ta\^nner. What was the general purpose of having set uj
in the Communist Party plan a group or branch known as the prof es
sional branch ?
Mr. Adams. Well, the national committee of the Communist Part^
has a commission, which is a national commission, which concentrate:
on people of various nationalities. By the same token, in a State or
ganization, national organization, county organization, in many locali
ties, they have a special section which is composed of professional peo
pie, because professional people do not, in the main, like to associat
and mingle, they feel better mingling with each other. Therefore
they are placed in a group of their own.
Mr. Tavenner. I thought the Communist Party prided itself o]
absolute equality.
Mr. Adams. There is no equality in this world, Congressmar
whether it is in the Communist Party or in the Republican Party.
Mr. Tavenner. As a matter of fact, wasn't the real reason for th
establishment of professional cells a matter of security to certain in
divi duals who otherwise would not come into the Communist Party
Mr. Adams. I don't believe that was the original idea.
Mr. Tavenner. Well, we have had the testimony in Los Angele
by a Mr. Harold Ashe, who was one of the early State organizers o
the Communist Party in California, and it was through him that th
first professional group of the Communist Party was formed in Cali
fornia, in Los Angeles, in which he testified to that very point, tha
it was done in order to protect their identity, even from other Com
munist Party members.
Now, in this case, if there was any such, if there was a professiona .^
group or cell of the Communist Party in San Diego, it was so secre
that you didn't even know of its existence.
Mr. Adams. That is entirely possible, but I think the reasoninj
there is a little erroneous, for the simple reason that professiona
people are pretty well known to each other, and it would probabl;
be safer to have professional people sprinkled among industria.
branches, small branches, from the viewpoint of protecting thei
[
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4861
dentity, rather than having them in one large group, where all the
[oitors know each other, all the dentists know each other, all the
ttorneys know each other; somebody is going to say something out
f turn. From the security standpoint, I think it would be much
letter to sprinkle them out.
^Ir. Tavenner. That is just your personal view.
]Mr. Adams. That is my personal view ; yes.
]\Ir. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, the circum-
taiices under which you left the Communist Party in San Diego ?
Mr. Adams. May I refresh my recollection, Mr. Chairman.
Well, by 1946, Mr. Chairman, I had decided that I was no longer
. revolutionist; I no longer agreed that the program of the Com-
Qunists would solve the problems America was faced with. I decided
)a.sically that I was in disagreement with Communists. I recognized
]i:it many people of the Communist Party were not really Com-
luniists. Many of them did not know what communism was. I
lecided I was not a Conmiunist, therefore I would have no place in
li(' Communist movement.
1 had a very decided difference of opinion with the leadership of
he Communist Party, starting with the famous Duclos communica-
ion, the Duclos letter, which was the beginning of the ideological
onflict that developed between me and the Communist Party, and
vhich led to my expulsion in the early part of 1946.
Mr. Tavenner. Let us stop at that moment, and I would like for
'ou to state to the committee just how the Duclos letter was involved
n your decision — not your decision to leave the Communist Party,
)ut how it was involved in the controversy that resulted in your dis-
iiissal from the party, and in order to do that possibly you should
X|)lain what has been explained before to the committee, just what
he Duclos letter was and wherein you disagreed with it, if you did.
Mr. Adams. Yes ; I shall endeavor to do that.
i'here had been a gradual change in the policy of the Communist
^a)ty, starting with possibly 1936. The domestic program of the
'ommunist Party became more watered down. The revolutionary
ispects of the Communist Party were shoved more and more in the
)ackground. The impetus for this was doubtless George Dimitrov's
)resentation of the program of the united front before the Seventh
iVorld Congress of the Communist International in 1935.
At that time the objectives of the Communist Party throughout the
vorld were conceived to play a part in organizing everyone who was
I gainst fascism and who was against war into one common front to
)ppose Hitler and Mussolini, to take people of other political faiths,
joliefs, and so on, and try to get them into an organization in oppo-
sition to Hitler and Mussolini.
Xow, the united front, in my opinion, was never properly applied
n America by the Communist leaders. Earl Browder, for instance,
ipplied it to the point that by 1945 the Communist Party was being
iquidated in America. I think it is a historical fact that broad
sections of the Communist Party in the South were entirely liquidated,
uid the party had no organization in those sections of the country.
This whole trend, doubtless, caused a great deal of concern among
r*ommunists throughout the world, the leaders of the Communist
Party world, such as France, Italy, and the Soviet Union.
4862 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Duclos ^vas, in my opinion, selected by these people to write tl
celebrated letter which threw Browder out on the water, saying thf
in other countries they were not carrying out a Communist line an
it would be necessary to reorganize their entire organization and r(
examine their strategy pattern and so on.
The organizational apparatus of the international Communi;
movement was more or less nonexistent from the time of the liquids
tion of the Comintern until the time of the restoration of the Comir
form after the war.
Evidently there was no concrete exchange of plans and ideas b(
tween the leaders of the various Communist Parties througliout tl
world, so we found many Communist Parties developed diiferent pr(
grams during that period, and the Duclos letter was one of thes
means taken to try to make Bolsheviks out of a bunch of liberals wh
had gotten into the Communist Party movement.
Mr. Tavenxer. Isn't it true to say that Duclos found fault wit
Browder for having considered that the Teheran Conference set
new plan for the Communist Party ; that is, one in which the Con
munist Party could get along with capitalism and they could bot
exist together ? Isn't that about the substance of it ?
Mr. Adams. Yes ; definitely. Browder had a theory that after tl: |
war the Communists were going to be able to live with the Capitalisi
and vice versa, the lamb and the lion were going to lie down togethe:
everything was going to be rosy; standards of living were goin
to increase 100 percent; there would be no revolutionary movemerj
because there would be no need of a revolutionary movement.
Mr. Tavenner. And Foster was a critic of Browder, along wit
Sam Darcy and other leading Communists of the country, and Duck
took up the gavel, along with Foster, and that resulted in the oustin
of Browder.
Mr. Adams. Yes ; in my opinion Foster is a brave man, but probabl
the biggest political opportunist that ever hit the American sceni
I remember when the Duclos letter came to America and the stan
of Foster was in a more or less secret meeting. Darcy at that tim
went outside of the secret meeting of the national committee and di
some work, for which he was expelled from the party.
But I think Foster is an opportunist of the first water and simpl
jumped on the bandwagon, because he felt the majority of the Con
munists in America would agree with the program.
Mr. Tavenner. And the force and effect of the Duclos letter was t
tell the Communist Party in the United States that it had been a'
wrong and it was now necessary to return to the revolutionary prir
ciples of the party?
Mr. Adams. That is correct; and told them so in a very forcefii
manner. But it is not the first time the international movement toli
the American Communists they were all wrong. It happened one
before in 1028, 1 believe, when Lovestone was thrown out of the party
Mr. Tavenner. Do you know anything about the Lovestone move
ment in the San Diego area ?
Mr. Adams. I was not aware that there was a Lovestone movemen
here. That is news to me.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you aware that there was a Lovestone move
ment in San Diego?
iio
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4863
Mr. iVcAMS. No ; I have had no contact witli any type of a Love-
stone movement in, oh, '35, or thereabouts.
Mr. Tavenner. All right. Proceed with your answer.
Mr. Adams. Well, counsel, I think I have just about finished.
Mr. Tavenner. Now, you have stated in a general way what the
Duclos letter was, and how it reversed the policies of Browder. In
what way did that lead to differences of opinion between you and the
leadership of the Communist Party in San Diego, if I understand you
correctly ?
Mr. Adams. Well, when the Duclos letter hit San Diego, some of
the leaders of the Communist Party played more or less the same role
that Foster did. I accused them of being opportunists in trying to
wait to see which way the wind was blowing.
Secondly, it was apparent to me that the Duclos letter meant that
anyone calling himself a Communist would have to be a revolutionist.
As I said before, I by that time had decided I was not a revolu-
tionist, so in the antagonisms that were developed over the Duclos
letter, the conflict between me and the party leaders led to my expul-
sion once more.
Mr. Tavenner. How did you receive your notice of the expulsion?
Mr. Adams. I was told I was being dropped, about 6 months later
I was told I had been expelled. I do not think they turned the name
over to the daily papers, which they did later on, to some people that
they expelled. The information was furnished to me by word of
mouth.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you called before a committee or a group of
the Communist Party on this matter ?
Mr. Adams. No.
Mr. Tavenner. What body of the Communist Party took that
action ?
Mr. Adams. I do not know.
Mr. Tavenner. Who was the head of the Communist Party in
San Diego County at the time this action was taken ?
Mr. Adams. I am going to have to decline to answer that on the
grounds heretofore stated, because I do not know what this monkey
is doing now, and I am not about to get tied in with anything he has
done since.
Mr. Tavenner. Did this mean the end of your Communist Party
activities ?
Mr. Adams. It certainly did.
Mr. Tavenner. I suggest, Mr. Chairman, that the witness be di-
rected to answer the question.
Mr. Jackson. The witness will answer the question.
Mr. Adams. I did my best. I thought the question was, did this
mean the end of your Communist Party activities, and it certainly
did.
Mr. Ta^'ENner. The prior question, which you refused to answer.
Mr. Adams. I am sorry.
Mr. Jackson. The Chair now directs the witness to answer.
Mr. Adams. The same answer, Mr. Congressman.
Mr. Jackson. Wlio was the person who notified you of your expul-
sion from the Communist Party ?
Mr. Adams. The same answer, Mr. Chairman.
4864 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Jackson. The witness is directed to answer the question.
Mr. Adams. The same answer.
Mr. Doyle. At that point may I ask you this : From what level of
the Communist Party were you told you were expelled?
Mr. Adams. I was told I was being dropped by the head of the
Communist Party in San Diego at that time. Later on I was told by
some fifth wheel in the organization that I was expelled.
Mr. Doyle. And the fifth wheel w^as also in the San Diego Com-
munist Party level or was it a higher level ?
Mr. Adams. A higher level.
Mr. Doyle. Does that mean the State level or national level.
Mr. Adams. I think international.
Mr. Doyle. International?
Mr. Adams. Yes.
Mr. Doyle. And was he an American citizen, as far as you know,
or citizen of some other nation ?
Mr. Adams. It was a woman. I do not think she was an American
citizen. I think maybe she was on the payroll of the State Depart-
ment.
Mr. Doyle. I didn't understand your answer.
Mr. Adams. It was a woman, not a citizen of the United States, but
an employee, I think, of either the FBI or the State Department.
Mr. Doyle. By State Department you refer to the State Depart-
ment of the United States of America ?
Mr. Adams. I do.
Mr. Doyle. Had you ever met that woman before ?
Mr. Adams. I did.
Mr. Doyle. As a member of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Adams. No.
Mr. Jackson. At the time of your expulsion did she represent her-
self to be a member of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Adams. She did.
Mr. Jackson. What was the name of that individual?
Mr. Adams. Helga Weigert.
Mr. Jackson. Will you spell it, please?
Mr. Adams. Oh, Congressman, I couldn't begin to. It is a German
name. Maybe the reporter could help us out ?
Mr. Tavenner. W-e-i-g-e-r-t.
Mr. Adams. That sounds about correct.
Mr. Doyle. What year was that, please?
Mr. Adams. 1946.
Mr. Doyle. She told you orally that you were expelled ? Did she
communicate that fact to you in California or some place else?
Mr. Adams. In California.
Mr. Doyle. In San Diego ?
Mr. Adams. Yes, I believe so, yes.
Mr. Doyle. Was she at that time a resident of California, as far as
you knew ?
Mr. Adams. I couldn't say, but I think she was.
Mr. Doyle. And to your knowledge was she at that time a member
of the staff of the State Department of the United States ?
Mr. Adams. That is simply what I suspect. To my knowledge, no.
I had no knowledge except the thing added up to that.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITI?:S IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4865
Mr, Doyle. Had you ever met lier before ?
Mr. Adams. I liad.
Mr. Tavenner. Was she married?
Mr. Adams. She was.
Mr. Tavenner. What was her husband's name ?
Mr. Adams. George Lohr.
Mr. Taa-enner . Was George Lohr the one wlio notified you that you
were to be dropped from the Communist Party ?
Mr. Adams. I must refuse to answer that on the grounds heretofore
stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Was George Lolir the head of the Communist Party
in San Diego at that time ?
Mr. Adams. I must refuse to answer that on the gi'ounds heretofore
stated.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you know where George Lohr and Helga Weigert
are now ?
Mr. Adams. Well, I understand that George Lohr is a citizen of
the United States, having been born in the east, returned to Germany
as a very young child, came out of Germany after the advent of Hitler,
and I read in the newspaper a few weeks ago where George and Helga
had gone to Czechoslovakia, had fled behind the Iron Curtain, so-
called.
Mr. Taa^nner. Will you tell the committee, please, all you know
regarding the activities in the Communist Party of George Lohr in
San Diego, if you know of any .such activities?
Mr. Adams. Helga Weigert was never known to me to be a Commu-
nist. I have no compunction about testifying anything I know about
luT. On the grounds heretofore stated, I refuse to answer that
question.
Mr. Tavenner. I suggest the witness be directed to answer,
Mr. Jackson. The witness is directed to answer.
Mr. Adams. The same answer, Congi'essman.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you appear here as a witness pursuant to a
subpena served upon you?
Mr. Adams. Yes, counsel,
Mr. Ta\tenner. I have no further questions, Mr, Chairman.
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Doyle?
Mr. Doyle. You said in substance to the effect that one of your
responsibilities as a member of the Communist Party was expanding
tlie list of writers and readers of the Daily People's World, and to
rt'l)ort news to the Daily People's World,
Mr. Adams. Yes, Congressman.
Mr. Doyle. That was while you were an active member of the
Communist Party in San Diego?
Mr. Adams. Yes.
Mr. Doyle. To the best of your knowledge and belief at the time
the Daily People's World was one of the publicity media and organs
of the Communist Party in the United States, was it ?
Mr. Adams, Yes, certainly,
Mr. Doyle. And your answer is what?
Mr. Adams. Why, certainly.
Mr. Doyle. What is your information, if any, you have as to
whether there is a functioning party in San Diego at this date; I
mean today?
47718— 54— pt. 8 — —4
4866 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Adams. Well, Congressman, I am in this position ; if they had
a Communist revolution tomorrow, I think Newsome would be the
first man here put out of the way. I would be No. 2, though I have had
no knowledge of the Communist Party's functions in San Diego since
I was expelled from it.
Mr. Doyle. That was in what month of 1946 ?
Mr. Adams. It was in the early part of 1946, and I could not
pinpoint the month down.
Mr. Jackson. I would have to take issue with your order of priority
for extermination if it came tomorrow.
Mr. Adajsls. Well, Congressman, I think your political extermina-
tion wouhl come much faster than Newsome 's and mine. '"
Mr. Jackson. That doesn't keep me awake too many nights.
Mr. Adams. I will hold a vote if you hold an elective office 10 years
from now I will contribute 50 dollars to your political campaign.
Mr. Jackson. Let's liope you and I are still alive 10 years from now,
Mr. Adams.
Mr. Adams. I expect to be.
Mr. Jacks(jn. Proceed, Mr. Counsel.
Mr. Tavenner. I have no further questions.
Mr. Jackson. Is there any reason why the witness should not be
excused ?
Mr. Tavenner. No, sir.
Mr. Jagksox. Tlie witness is excused from further attendance under
the subpena.
Mr. Doyle?
Mr. Doyle. The other morning I called attention to the fact that
as I entered the hall there was this yellow sheet and also one of these
blue mimeographed sheets handed to me. The only indication thereon
as to who might have had it mimeographed and distributed being the
30th District Young Democrats.
You recall I asked at that time if there was such a group in San
Diego I would like to know. I have ascertained that there is such a
group and with reference to this particular handbill which was handed
to me outside of the door of the Chamber of Commerce meeting the
first day of the session, I have been handed this statement signed by
members of the official board, of the executive 30th District Young
Democrats of San Diego, dated Tuesday, April 20, 1954 :
The executive board of the .30th District Youu,:,' Democrats wishes to make
the following statement concerning their invitation to attend their meeting held
last night at Carpenter's Hall. The prepai-ation of the paper was without the
approval of the board and the distribution of the invitation was without the
approval of the executive board. The board members regret that the language
used may have been misinterpreted.
(Signed) Debwent Conlee, President.
Flora Thomas, Treasurer.
Betty Neuman, Publicitij Chairman.
Morris Saskary, Parliamentarian.
Zexla Crown, Advisory.
I think this, Mr. Chairman, as long as I raised the point and there
has been some publicity about it, I would like to have it included in
our record.
Mr. Jackson. It will be included at this point in the record.
Mr. Counsel, who do you desire to call at this time ?
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Lloyd Hamlin.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4867
Mr. Jackson. May we suspend for a moment ?
Mr. Tavenner. Yes.
(At this time a short recess was taken.)
Mr. Jackson. The committee will be in order.
Mr. Tavenner. I would like to call Mr. Wheeler.
TESTIMONY OF WILLIAM A. WHEELEK
Mr. Jackson. Will you raise your right hand, please, and be sworn?
Do you solemnly swear in the testimony you are about to give before
iiis subcommittee you will tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing
)ut the truth so help you God ?
Mr. Wheeler. I do.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Wheeler, what is your name ?
Mr. Wheeler. William A. Wheeler.
Mr. Tavenner. You are an investigator for the Committee on
Jn- American Activities ?
Mr. Wheeler. Correct.
Mr. Tavenner. How long have you been such an investigator?
Mr. Wheeler. Approximately 7 years.
Mr. Ta\'enner. In the course of the performance of your duties did
y^ou serve a subpena upon the last witness who was on the stand, Mr.
Ricliard Adams, for his appearance here?
Mr. Wheeler. This particular subpena, at my direction, under the
direction of the chairman of the committee, was given to Mr. A. E.
Jansen, chief of police of San Diego. It was served by the police
iepartment.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you have the return of the subpena ?
Mr. Wheeler. I do, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. I desire to offer in evidence, Mr. Chairman, and
ask it be marked "Wheeler Exhibit No. 1."
Mr. Jackson. It will be so admitted.
(The document above referred to was marked "Wlieeler Exhibit
No. 1" for identification and received in evidence.^)
Mr. Tavenner. That will be all, Mr. Wheeler.
Mr. Jackson. Call your next witness.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Lloyd Hamlin.
TESTIMONY OF LLOYD HAMLIN
Mr. Jackson. Will you raise your right hand, sir ?
Do you solemnly swear that in the testimony you are about to give
before this subcommittee, you will tell the truth, the whole truth
and nothing but the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. Hamlin. I do, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. What is your name, please, sir ?
Mr. Hamlin. My name is Lloyd Hamlin.
Mr. Tavenner. Are you accompanied by counsel ?
Mr. Hamlin. No, I am not.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you desire counsel ?
Mr. Hamlin. No, sir.
1 Retained In committee files.
4868 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Ta\enner. Mr. Hamlin, do you appear here pursuant to the
})rovisions of a subpena served upon you ?
Mr. Hamlin. I do.
Mr. Taa'enner. When and where were you born, Mr. Hamlin?
Mr. Hamlin. I was born in Missouri in 1914.
Mr. Tan^enner. "WHiere do you now reside ?
Mr. Hamlin. I now reside at 1807 East Westinghouse Street, in
San Diego.
Mr. Ta\"enner. How long liave you lived in San Diego?
Mr. Hamlin. I have lived in San Diego since 1942.
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Hamlin, would you speak just a little louder,
please?
Mr. T avenner. Prior to your coming to San Diego in 1942, where
did you reside?
Mr. Hamlin. I was residing in El Paso, Tex.
Mr, Tavenner. How long did vou live in Texas ?
Mr. Hamlin. Let's see. I lived there from 1938 until 1942.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Hamlin, have you at any time engaged in work
for a Government agency within the Communist Party?
Mr. Hamlin. Yes, sir; I have.
Mr. Tavenner. During what ])eriod of time were you so engaged
in work?
Mr. Hamlin. From the early part of 1945 until February of 1952
Mr. Tavenner. Where was that work performed?
Mr. Hamlin. That work was performed primarily in San Diegc!
and in the San Diego area.
Mr. Tavenner. Before your employment for that purpose had yoi
been affiliated with the Communist Party in any manner?
Mr. Hamlin, No, sir; I had not.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, what motivatec
you in taking the assignment which you have spoken of ?
Mr. Hamlin. Early in 1943 and 1944, when I was with the Nava^
Intelligence, I became acquainted with many of the Communist-pub
lished books on Marxism, and at that particular time I was con
vinced, after having read a few of those books, and making a ver)
short study of conmmnism, that communism was a real threat; thai
communism would become more and more a threat to the Unitec
States and to the world, and if there was anything that I couk
possibly do to help alleviate or to crush this ideology, that I would
be willing to do so.
Mr. Tavenner. So the access of Communist Party material to you
had the effect of bringing you to the conclusion that you should fight
it rather than to join it and advance it ?
Mr. Hamlin. Definitely, and that everyone should do it.
Mr. Tavenner. AY hat agency of the Federal Government was it
that emi)loyed you to work witliin the Communist Party i
Mr. Hamlin. Originally it was Naval Intelligence.
Mr. Tavenner. How long did you work with Naval Intelligence?
Mr. Hamlin, Something over a year, and then I was transferred
to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
IVIr. Tavenner. Were you working for the Naval Intelligence dur-
ing any part of the time that you were a member of the party in San
Diego ?
Mr, Hamlin. Yes, sir.
COMMUlSriST ACTIVITIES EST THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4869
Mr. Tavenner. At the time that you became interested in this
ubject, I believe you said you were in the Armed Forces.
Mr. Hamlin. Yes.
Mr. Tavenner. What branch of the service?
Mr. Hamlin. Naval Intelligence.
Mr. Tavenner. You were with Naval Intelligence at the time you
ead this material ?
Mr. Hamlin. Yes, sir.
Mr. Ta\t:nner. How long were you in the Navy ?
Mr. Hamlin. Oh, almost 3 years.
Mr. Tavenner. During that period of time where were you
tationed ?
Mr. Hamlin. Here in San Diego.
Mr. Tavenner. Have you at any time testified in the Federal Court
egarding your knowledge of Communist Party activities?
Mr. Hamlin. Yes, sir; I did. I testified as a Government wit-
less against the top Communists in California in Februaiy, 1952.
Mr. Tavenner. Is that the case of United States against William
5chneiderman and others?
Mr. Hamlin. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. In other words, to perform the work that you per-
"ormed within the party, was it necessary for you to become a
nember ?
Mr. Hamlin. Yes, sir; it was.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, briefly, when
,^ou become a member and such circumstances that you feel at liberty
o disclose regarding your joining the Communist Party?
Mr. Hamlin. I became a member of the Communist Party in May
)f 1945, upon the direct invitation of Morgan Hull, who was at that
ime country organizer of the Communist Party in San Diego.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you assigned to any particular group or cell
)f the Communist Party ?
Mr. Hamlin. Yes, sir; I was assigned immediately to the Trade
Jnion Club, I believe w as the designation of it.
Mr. Tavenner. Would you describe what you mean by the Trade
Jnion Club of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Hamlin. This was a small group of individuals in the Com-
nunist Party who worked in industry, where they were members of
;rade union organizations. The general outline of procedure in this
jarticular club was primarily from the standpoint of an educational
liscussion of current events and party ideology.
Mr. Tavenner. How many composed the membership of that club ?
]\Ir. Hamlin. This club was very small and even remained as a
lub itself for only a short period of time. Actually, during this
period of May and June, July, and possibly August of 1945, there
was the reconstruction of the Communist Party from the Communist
i'olitical Association into the Communist Party again.
Mr. Tavenner. At the time you first became a member in May
L945, was that the Communist Political Association, or was it the
ommunist Party?
Mr. Hamlin. That was the Communist Political Association.
Mr. Tavenner. How many months did it remain the Communist
!*olitical Association before it reverted to the former designation of
ommunist Party ?
4870 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Hamlin. Only a few months, and, as I remember, our San
Diego County convention of the Communist Party was held in Sep-
tember, and at that particular time I know there were a number of
speeches given by the topnotch Communists here in San Diego as to
their chagrin at having been led astray by the Browder theory of com-
munism and the definite exultation at being able to reorganize them-
selves into a revolutionary party again, a Bolshevik type of party,
which would now be the Communist Party again.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you have with you the original Communist
Party card that was issued to you, or a photostatic copy of one ?
Mr. Hamlin. I believe there is a photostatic copy available. I do
not have it in my pocket.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, all that you can
about the functioning of this trade union club to which you were first
assigned ?
Mr. Hamlin. Well, actually, this particular club, as I say, was dis-
banded into an overall organization city wide. At that time most of
the members of the Communist Party actually were meeting in one
big session, so that our club was dispensed with as a unit or as a club
and we then attended these several citywide meetings. It was not
until a little bit later that clubs were again actually organized.
Mr. Tavenner. How long did you remain ?. member of the Com- J"
munist Party?
Mr. Hamlin. I actually remained a card carrying member of the
Communist Party in that sense of the word, which is very ambiguous,
and some time I would like to go into that, up until July of 1950.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you have any other type of membership than
that of a carrier of a Communist Party card after 1950 ?
Mr. Hamlin. Yes. There are a number of ways of being Com-
munists.
Mr. Ta\^nner. Possibly you should give us a full explanation oi
that now.
Mr. Hamlin. If I may, very shortly. It is something that is very
dear and near to my heart, inasmuch as there are many people in the
United States today, and in San Diego as well, who are actually Com-
munists, but who have never carried a Commimist Party card, inas-
much as they are afraid at some particular time they may be indicted
or may be called before committees of this type, and they want to be
able at that time to say in the legal sense of the word which entails the
carrying of the Communist Party card, "No; I am not a Com-
munist."
However, these people are, in many instances, more ardent Com-
munists than the so-called card carrying Communist.
Mr. Jackson. May I ask the witness without reference to the names
of individuals of that kind, do you personally know of such instances?
Mr. Hamlin. Those are the people whom I am associated with here
in San Diego. One of my particular assignments of the Communist
Party here was to work with this type of individual, to work with
front organizations, and with veteran organizations. , ^
Mr. Doyle. May I ask this: They may not have carried cards, but} ,
were they nevertheless members of the Communist Party, even though; ''
they didn't carry a Communist Party card with them, they neverthe- ^
less were members of the party ?
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4871
Mr. Hamlin. They are in all instances in their beliefs and their
physical actions, in their contributions, jfinancially and physically,
Communist Party members, but legally they can say they are not
members, as neither they nor the Communist Party clesire that they
carry Commmiist Party cards.
Mr. Doyle. Do they attend Communist Party meetings ?
Mr. Hamlin. Secret meetings only.
Mr. Jackson. Proceed, Mr. Counsel.
Mr. Tavenner. You stated that you carried a Communist Party
card until June 1950.
Mr. Hamlin. May I correct you there ?
Mr. Ta\'enner. Yes.
Mr. Hamlin. Actually, Communist Party cards were done away
with, I believe, as early as probably 1947 or 1948.
Mr. Tavenner. Yes.
Mr. Hamlin. They were actually done away with.
Mr. Tavenner. I understood you to say you got out of the Com-
munist Party in P^ebruary 1952. Then what is the significance of the
date in 1950 which you gave as the time of membership in the party ?
Mr. Hamlin. In July of 1950 the Communist Party in San Diego —
and this is the pattern throughout the United States, I believe —
deemed it advisable to dispense with party clubs and party organiza-
tional meetings as such. I was called to discuss this with two individ-
uals in July of 1950, and at that particular time one of the individuals
told me that it was necessary and important that the Communist
Party have friends and people that they could count on who were not
actually being considered as card-carrying Communist Party members
in order that they could have help from these individuals, and from
that particular time on I was to consider myself not as a card-carrying
Communist, but that I would have direct contacts from a party person
who was named at this particular time, that I would continue to pay
in such moneys as I had previously paid into the Communist Party,
but that those moneys would not be considered as dues and a sus-
taining fund, as they had previously been. In other words, it was my
impression at the particular time that I, like a great many other Com-
munist Party people, was being asked to go underground.
Mr. Ta^t^nner. This was a part of the Communist plan, to go un-
derground with this organization ?
Mr. Hamlin. That was, of course, not definitely stated at that par-
ticular time, may I emphasize that. However, it has been known,
and is known at this particular time, that that was a definite pattern
throughout the United States as far as the Communist Party was
concerned.
Mr, Tavenner. Who was it that gave you this instruction?
Mr. Hamlin, Mrs. Celia Shermis and Verna Langer.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you spell those names for us ?
IVIr. Hamlin, Celia Shermis, S-h-e-r-m-i-s, and Verna L-a-n-g-e-r.
Mr. Tavenner, Wliat positions did they occupy at that time in the
Communist Party in San Diego?
Mr. Hamlin. Mrs. Shermis was chairman of our club, which at that
time was the Linda Vista Club, if I remember correctly, and Mrs.
Langer, I believe, was the secretary-treasurer.
Mr. Tavenner, That took place in 1950 ?
Mr. Hamlin. In July, I believe, if I remember correctly, yes, sir.
4872 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Tavenner. Well, later in your testimony I will return to that
general subject of your operations and your knowledge of Communist
Party activities from 1950 to 1952.
But let us return now to the beginning of your work in the party
in this area. I hand you a card made out in the name of Lloyd Ham-
lin by the Communist Political Association bearing No. 96270, and
I will ask you if that is a photostatic copy of the card which was issued
you when you became a member, or at some later period?
Mr. Hamlin. Yes, sir. This appears to be one of the first cards
that I was issued, a photostatic copy of one of the first cards I was
issued.
Mr. Tavenner. I believe at this point it would be well for you to
describe to the committee what the Communist Party set up was, and
organizational set up was in this area when you became a member.
But just a moment.
Do you want to break at this time, Mr. Chairman ?
Mr. Jackson. Yes, I think it might be a good idea. The commit-
tee will stand in recess until 10 : 15.
(At this time a recess was taken.)
Mr. Jackson. The committee will be in order.
Proceed, Mr. Counsel.
Mr. Tavenner. Mr. Hamlin, the unanswered question is will you
please describe to the committee the organizational setup of the Com-
munist Party in San Diego during the period of your membership?
Mr. Hamlin. The organization was set up in San Diego, I believe,
like all county organizations in the Communist Party are set up. We
have a county central committee, or a county executive board, that is,
so-called, elected at county conventions. These county conventions
are supposed to be once every 2 years, and as I recollect, but in some
instances this may be changed by the national setup.
After your county committees, then you have Communist Party
cells or ciubs. From the bottom up then your county committee is re-
sponsible to your State organization. The State organization in re-
turn, I understand, is in most instances subject to tlie rules and regu-
lations that are handed down by districts, and the districts then go
to the national committee.
Mr. Tavenner. You have told us that you were a member of the
Trade Union Club only a short period of time.
Mr. Hamlin. That is correct.
Mr. Tavenner. Wliat was the next group of the Communist Party
to which you were assigned ?
Mr. Hamlin. The next official group or club that I was assigned to
was the East San Diego Club, I believe.
Mr. Tavenner. How many composed the membership of that club?
Mr. Hamlin. Offhand I would say some 12 or 15 persons.
Mr. Tavenner. Can you tell the committee who the leadins: mem-
bers of that club were, that is, those who occupied some position in
the club, and also name any other members of the club that you can
recall ?
Mr. Hamlin. Well, Lillian Hunt was for a time chairman of that
particular club, as I remember. Joseph Langer was a member of the'
club.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you recall whether Joseph Langer held any
position with the club ?
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4873
Mr. Hamlix. I believe he was dues and membership chairman or
director, as they sometimes are called. Benjamin Haddock was a
member of that club.
Mr. Tavenner. Just a minute.
Mr. Chairman, Benjamin Haddock testified before the committee
in Washington within the past 30 or 60 days and admitted his former
Communist Party membership in San Diego, and told the committee
the circumstances under which he left the party and that he had fully
aucl completely broken with the party. The witness fully cooperated
with the committee. ^
Mr. Jackson. Thank you.
Mr. Tavenner. Very well, if you will proceed.
Mr. Hamlin. Let's see. Nathan Zahalsky was a member of that
club for a short period of time.
Mr. Ta\t;nner. Do you recall a person by the name of Margaret
Garth?
Mr. Hamlin. Margaret Garth was a member of the club. Robert
Watrous.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you spell the last name ?
Mr. Hamlin. W-a-t-r-o-u-s.
Mr. Tavenner. How long were you a member of that group ?
Mr. Hamlin. Up until the early spring of 1946, 1 believe.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee, please, what the gen-
eral functions of that group were, what it attempted to do ?
Mr. Hamlin. Well, that group was organized and set up on what
is known in the party as a neighborhood basis. The members of the
club are supposed to live in the particular neighborhood or area, and
they in turn are supposed to work on neighborhood problems, or prob-
lems that are particular to their certain area.
Mr. Tavenner. I am not certain whether I interrupted you before
you completed your statement of membership of that club.
Mr. Hamlin. Well, let's see. It has been some time ago.
There were other members, of course, in the club. I don't remem-
ber all the names at this particular time. Perhaps later I will be able
to recall.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you recall a person by the name of Lee Grego-
vich?
Mr. Hamlin. Lee Gregovich was a member of the East San Diego
Club; yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you hold any particular position in that club
at any time ?
Mr. Hamlin. Toward the latter part of my stay in this club, yes,
I was for a very short time, I believe, educational adviser.
Mr. Tavenner. Where did the club meet ?
Mr. Hamlin. The club met generally in the home of Lillian Hunt
on Highland Avenue in East San Diego, just off of El Cahone.
Occasionally we would meet in the home of Bob Watrous and the
home of Lee Gregovich occasionally.
Mr. Tavenner. You stated you were a member of that club until
1946?
Mr. Hamlin. Approximately ; yes, sir.
1 See Investigation of Communist Activities in tlie State of California — Part 2.
II
4874 COJVIMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Tavenner. What period during 1946 ?
Mr. Hamlin. As I remember, the early part of 1946, the spring,
perhaps.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you then transferred to another group of the
Communist Party?
Mr. Hamlin, Yes, sir, I was transferred by George Lohr, who was
at that time county organizer of the San Diego County Communist
Party, to what he deemed the special club.
Mr. TA^'ENNEE. Special club?
Mr. Hamlin. Yes.
Mr. Tavenner. What was the nature of this special club ?
Mr. Hamlin. The special club, according to George Lohr, was made
up, and the origin of the club was deemed necessary to include those
persons in the Communist Party of San Diego who were working
primarily in front organizations, or who had positions in San Diego
that made it necessary that their identity be kept secret, insomuch as
they were Communists, not only from the general public, but if pos-
sible from the Communist membership itself.
Mr. Tavenner. And that was for security reasons?
Mr. Hamlin. Both inside and outside the party ; yes.
Mr. Tavenner. Why was it necessary to have this special club or
group and to have its membership kept secret from other Communists ?
Mr. Hamlin. The Communist Party members from the top leader
down to the lowest echelon Communist trusts no one, and there is a
constant feeling that perhaps one of their own members is going
to let the public know that they are Communists, so, therefore, there is
aways, as is necessary in all conspiracies, this thing of secret organiza-
tions into the organization.
Mr. Jackson. In light of the number of people the FBI was able to
infiltrate within the party, it appears to be justified.
Mr. Hamlin. It is justified, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. You were assigned, as I understand, to that special
group ?
Mr. Hamlin. Yes, sir.
Mr. Ta\t2NNer. Did you gain any position of prominence within
that group ?
jMr. Hamlin. Within a very short period of time I was made
chairman of that particular group.
Mr. Tavenner. Chairman?
Mr. Hamlin. Yes.
Mr, Tavenner. How many members did you have in that group
at that time?
Mr. Hamlin. There were a dozen or so, I would say, between a
dozen and 15. This number, of course, fluctuated from time to time.
Mr. Tavenner. How long were you a member of this special or
secret group of tlie Communist Party ?
Mr. Hamlin. This particular group changed its name from time
to time. It was originally, as I recall, known as the special group,
and it was then known as the professional group, and later they
changed the name to the Morgan Hull Club, and the club was in
existence until June of 1948, 1 believe.
Mr. Tavenner. During this period of the change of names, did it
still maintain its same characteristics of security?
Mr. Hamlin. Its same identity, yes.
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES EST THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4875
Mr. Tavenner. Will you give the committee, please, the names of
ther officers of this club during the period that you were a member
f it, this secret club, the one of which you were chairman for part
f the time ?
^Ir. Hamlin. Well, let's see. Ray Morkowski was originally the
liajrman of that particular group.
Mr. Tavenner. Now, just a minute. Will you give us such iden-
ifying information as you can regarding Ray Morkowski^
^[r. Hamlin. Ray Morkowski is at the present time not living in
lie San Diego area. He formerly lived in Linda Vista, was a func-
ionary in the CIO council, 1 believe, at one time, and president of the
ouucil, and quite a figure in labor organizations in San Diego, and
lie CIO particularly.
Mr. Tavenner. Because of his prominence in that field it was neces-
ary to secure his identity?
Mr. Hamlin. Yes.
jNlr. Tavenner. How do you spell his last name ?
Mr. Hamlin. M-o-r-k-o-w-s-k-i.
Mr. Tavenner. Very well. If you will give us the names of any
ther officers that you can remember.
Mr. Hamlin. Jeff Boelmi was a member of our club, and formerly
vorked for the San Diego Journal, I believe, as a reporter. He lived
n Titus Street in San Diego. He is not now living in San Diego.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you recall what position he held in this secret
^oup?
Mr. Hamlin. Jeff was at times educational adviser, and at one time
eas educational adviser for the whole county of San Diego, directly
working under the county committee.
Mr. Tavenner. Let me interrupt you.
Mr. Jackson, Counsel, may 1 interject at this point? In any
nstance where the witness has personal knowledge of subsequent sepa-
•ation from the party, if there are such instances, that it would be well
0 state that.
Mr. Hamlin. I will so state.
Mr. Jackson. Thank you.
Mr. Tavenner. I would like to interrupt you at this point and ask
^ou to tell the committee what the chief functions of this group were ;
vhat were their projects; what were they attempting to accomplish?
Mr. Hamlin. The chief project of this group was, as I have enumer-
ited before, that of working in front organizations directly under the
ponsorship of, of course, the Communist Party, and me indirectly.
Mr. Tavenner. Now, do you know" of any particular activity of the
iwo persons that you have named so far, Ray Morkowski and Jeff
Boehm ?
Mr. Hamlin. Ray Morkowski, as I have enumerated, was of par-
icular importance to the Communist Party because of his labor con-
Tacts and his very, very active participation in the labor movement,
Prom the period of, oh, possibly 1945 up until 1946, 1947 possibly.
Jeff Boehm was very active from its inception in the Progressive
Party. Jeff Boehm was also active in the American Veterans' Commit-
ee, of which I was county chairman.
Mr. Tavenner. Now, will you give us the names of any other officers
ihat you can now recall ?
4876 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES EST THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA |
Mr. Hamlin. Lynne Ackerstein was a member of this club. Lynnei
was, from 1948 until the time she left San Diego, 1950, 1 believe, head|
of the Independent Progressive Party here. Prior to her entrance
in the Communist Party she was an employee of the Federal Housing
Administration in the Linda Vista area.
Mr, Tavenner. As far as you know, she was not a member of the
Communist Party at any time that she was working for the Federal
Housing, Administration ?
Mr. Hamlin. Only for a very short period of time. She discussec
that with me prior to her becoming a Communist, and she definitelj
wanted to get into the Communist Party and wanted to get out of hei
employment in the Housing, because it stifled her, as she said, from hei
political motives, and she wanted to know particularly if the Com-
munist Party might be able to help her obtain a position so that sh(
could make a livelihood.
Mr. Tavenner. Why was it necessary that she be assigned to this
secret group of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Hamlin. Because of her work in the Independent Progressiv(
Party.
Mr. Tavenner. Well, if you can give us the names of any otheri
who occupied official positions, will you please do so?
Mr. Hamlin. Well, Ernestine Gatewood was also a member of this
club and was for a period of time secretary of the Independent Pro
gressive Party.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you know of any other activities of his in thi
Communist Party?
Mr. Hamlin. Of hers.
Mr. Tavenner. Of hers, rather.
Mr. Hamlin. Activity in the Communist Party. She was quiti
active in the propagandizing and agitating of the Negro people fron
the standpoint of tlie Communist Party.
A. C. Rogers was a member of this club, and A. C. Eogers is i
rather well known person in San Diego from way back in the thirties
I believe, having held a number of positions in the old labor council a
one time on the administrative forces of the Federal Housing Ad
ministration. I believe it was called something else at that particula:
time. He was a figure in political circles.
Mr. Ta-stinner. Wasn't he the chairman or the head of the Centra
Labor Council at one time?
Mr. Hamlin. Yes ; he was.
Mr. Tavenner. And it was because of this prominence that he wai
in this secret group ?
Mr. Hamlin. That is right. Might I add that the work of sucl
individuals as were in this club, particularly to tlie Communist Party
is in their not being known generally in public as Communists, because
their work would be seriously handicapped, of necessity, if they arc
known by the public.
If I might interject here a compliment to the public and say that the
public generally does not cooperate if and when they know who is i
Communist ancl ^Yho is not by at least attempting to isolate them anc
making it difficult for them to work.
Mr. Tavenner. Very well. Can you recall the names of anj
others ?
coMMinsrisT activities m the state of California 4877
Mr. Hamlin. James Toback was a member of our particular club.
James also held a high position of trust with the Communist Party,
inasmuch as for a number of years he was the person designated by
the county organizer and the county committee to collect donations
from the so-called angels of the Communist Party in San Diego.
Mr. Ta\tenner. Do you recall the names of others ?
Mr. Hamlin. Wilma Crittenden was a member of this group for
a period of time until she left San Diego. I am not sure of her posi-
tion. It might have been a copyreader or reporter for the San Diego
Union or Tribune, I am not sure which.
Mr. Tavenner. And, of course, being identified with the press it
was necessary that her identity be kept secret.
jNIr. Hamlin. That is right.
Mr. Tavenner. Can you give us the names of others?
Mr. Hamlin. Paul Sleeth was later on a member of this particular
club. However, there was no particular reason why Paul was put in
this club. This was at a later period. I might say, when people were
being put into the club without any particular reason, because Paul
never had a real important job in the Communist Party, but was
usually assigned to so-called foot work, passing out leaflets, and
things of that type.
Mr. Tavenner. Can you identify others?
Mr. Hamlin. Those are the particular names I remember now.
It is possible I may remember some a little later on.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you acquainted with a person by the name
of Milton Lessner?
Mr. Hamlin. Milton Lessner was a member of this club, as was
Mrs. Lessner, for quite a period of time. In fact, we met at their
home in the Bay View Terrace housing project quite often.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you recall in what business Milton Lessner was
engaged ?
Mr. Hamlin. Mr. Lessner is engaged in the Superior Upholstery,
or Seat Company, on Park Boulevard here in San Diego.
Mr. Tavenner. He appeared as a witness here yesterday and stated
that he was also during part of this period of time a probation officer
in the probation department of the city of San Diego. Do you recall
that?
Mr. Hamlin. Very vaguely; not from any particular important
angle. He was also, I believe, an official in the housing project at
one time. Just what position he held I do not know.
Oh, I am sorry. Lolita Gibson was quite an important person in
our organization, inasmuch as she was dues and membership director,
•I believe, an ardent Communist.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you know whether she was known by any other
name?
]\Ir. Hamlin. Her maiden name was Lolita Bunyard, and she later
married Howard Gibson. I don't remember the date of that.
yir. Jackson. Was Howard Gibson known to be a member of the
f Communist Party ?
! Mr. Hamlin. Howard Gibson has told me, after he returned from
I the war, the last World War, which would have been about 1944 or
' 1045, along about that time, that he was formerly a member of the
Communist Party, but that he did not desire to return as an actual
4878 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
member of the Communist Party for legal reasons that I have alreadj
set forth. Howard Gibson is a very ardent Communist, met with
the professional club on a number of occasions, and is know^n through-
out the party as an expert on Marxism and materialistic dialectics.
Mr. Tavenner. Can you recall the names of any others ?
Mr. Hamlin. Not at this time. The names escape me. Then
were a number of other people in this particular club ; I am sure.
Mr. Tavenner. Were you acquainted with a person by the nam(|*
of Louis Pollack ?
Mr. Hamlin. Yes. Mr. Pollack was a member assigned to thisfrf
club, attended at least one meeting, and I believe — no, I better no
say, because I am not sure what I was going to say. Yes; Mr. Pol
lack was a member of this club.
Mr. Jackson. The meeting to which you have reference was a closec
meeting of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Hamlin. Definitely ; yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Did you have any occasion at any later elate or a
any time to see him at any other meeting of the Communist Part^
besides the one you have described ?
Mr. Hamlin. A closed meeting?
Mr, Tavenner. Yes.
Mr. Hamlin, No. May I interject a word here, please. Mr. Pol
lack again is in the category, and I can base this on facts, of an indi
vidual who did not wish his identity known as a Communist. Mr
Pollack made that known to the county committee, of which I was i
member, early in lO-iT at the registration period of time. At that timi
he and Mrs. Pollack were discussed quite at length in the county com
mittee, and it was decided because of their request to be dropped a
actual members of the Communist Party, that they be dropped. Ther
was no, may I point out, discussion in the county committee to th
effect that either Mr. or Mrs. Pollack had disagreed with party prin
ciples, but primarily from the standpoint that they were afraid o
being uncovered and, therefore, did not wish to remain card carryini
Communists.
Mr. Tavenner. When was the action taken by the county committe
dropping them as party members?
Mr. Hamlin. Early in 1947.
Mr. Tavenner. 1947?
Mr. Tavenner. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner, Do you recall a person by the name of Jack O'Brien
Mr, Hamlin. Jack and his wife, Blanche O'Brien, who was origi
nally Blanche Potompkins, were both members of this group. We me
in their home quite frequently. Blanche was originally a Com
munist Party contact in the United Office and Professional Workers
Union here in San Diego County, and in the city. Jack was a phys
icist at the Ryan Aeronautic plant. They are not now living in Sai
Diego.
Mr. Tavenner. Were the members of this club dues paying member
in the same manner in which other persons were dues paying member
of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Hamlin. Yes, they were, inasmucli as at meetings, of course
Communist Party meetings, dues were collected. These dues were pu
into a book by — and peculiarly enough in San Diego, at least in ova
!1
\
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4879
articular club, we identified people by numbers and not by aliases —
tid these dues, were of course, credited to their accounts by certain
umbers that were designated to them.
Mr. Ta\t:nner. To whom were these dues paid, do you know ?
Mr. Hamlin. Lolita Gibson, most of the time, was our dues col-
sctor.
Mr. Tavenner. What disposition did she make of the dues col-
scted ?
Mr. Hamlin. These were then turned into the county organizational
jcretary, who was Xancy Rosenfeld Lund, and from there they were
ipposed to have been disbursed to the State in a certain amount and
le county kept a certain amount. The breakdown on that I am not
ositive of.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you know anything of special donations of con-
ihutions to the Communist Party by members of this special or
;cret group of the party ?
Mr. Hamlin. There were always constantly special donations. You
aid dues based upon the amount of income you had, which is fixed by
le national Communist Party, and appears on most of the original
irds that were handed out. In addition to that, the individual club,
le individual county, may have certain areas to cover by contributions.
As an example, we in our club made an individual contribution of
1 each, in some cases more than that, what was known as a county
.istainer. This money all went to sustain the county organizer, to
uy special literature, put out propaganda, and things of that type.
Mr, Tavenner. Do you know why you were transferred to this
Decial group of the Communist Party ?
Mr. Hamlin. To become its chairman.
Mr. Tavenner. That decision was made before you were transferred
) that group ?
Mr. Hamlin. Yes.
Mr. Tavenner. Why were you transferred out of that group?
Mr. Hamlin. In 1948, I believe June, Bernadette Doyle, who had
een sent to San Diego as the county organizer early in 1948, caused
uite an uproar in tliis particular area during the period of the
5unty convention. That I am sure we will go into later. However,
rom a very highhanded standpoint, a very dictatorial type of thing,
tie broke up the clubs at her discretion, and also from the standpoint,
was stated, for security reasons, into very small mobile units,
'his club, of course, was too large and unwieldy, so it was broken up.
Mr. Tavenner. As a result of that upheaval within the Communist
arty, were you assigned to another group?
Mr. Hamlin. Yes.
Mr. Tavenner. What was that group ?
Mr. Hamlin. That group was called the Linda Vista group.
Mr. Tavenner. How many members composed that group?
Mr. Hamlin. Oh, tliere were some 8 or 10 members of that group,
[owever, the group itself was supposed to be broken 'down into 2
ctions of about 5 members in each section. This, ironically, was not
one systematically. Occasionally, it was done.
Mr. Tavenner. What was the chief function of this grouD?
Mr. Hamlin. Of the Linda Vista eroun?
Mr. Tavenner. Yes.
4880 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Hamlin. The Linda Vista group was set up, as I designate
before, supposedly from the standpoint of party organization on
neighborhood basis. However, peculiarly enough, although we wei
called the Linda Vista Club, very seldom did we meet in Linda Visf
until a much later period of time. Our meetings were held, mar
of them, in East San Diego and at the home of David Starcevic an
his wife Miriam. This was also a source of argument between Davi
Starcevic and our county organizer, which became quite amusir
many times, as to why we were called a Linda Vista Club and m^
at their home at East San Diego, and many of the contradictory issu
that were promoted, because the party leader to instigate rigid s
curity measures did cause disbelief and upheaval in the Communi
Party here in San Diego.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you speak just a little louder, please?
Mr. Hamlin. I am sorry.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you give the committee, please, the names <
the officers of this club, the Linda Vista Club 2
Mr. Hamlin. The officers of the Linda Vista Club were at i
inception Celia Shermis, chairman ; Verna Langer, I believe, was du
secretary, membership; Harry Shermis, I believe, functioned for
period of time as the educational director, and the P. W. direct
was another young man, whose name escapes me for the momei
He is not living in San Diego now. He moved to New York.
Mr. Ta\'enner. What do you mean by P. W. director ?
Mr. Hamlin. That is the People's World, the west coast Comm
nist newspaper, and is a must in Communist circles insofar as rea
ing and using as discussion material, and things of that type.
Mr. Tavenner. Can you give us the names of any other membe
of that group ?
Mr. Hamlin. Well, let's see. There was David and Miriam Stare
vie, Verna Langer, Harry and Celia Shermis, Jeff Boehm was a mei
ber for a short period of time until he moved away.
Mr. Tavenner. How long were you a member of this group of t
party ?
Mr. Hamlin. Up until the time I was told not to consider mys(
a card-carrying Communist any longer. That w^as in July 1950.
Mr. Tavenner. And that was the time you told us about earlier
your testimony when you were split up into small groups?
Mr. Hamlin. That is right.
Mr. Tavenner. For underground purposes ?
Mr. Hamlin. That is right. May I interject another thing he
John Carpaclakis was an oldtimer in the Communist Party, was
member of the Linda Vista Club, and was for a short period
time more or less pushed into the position of chairman of th
club.
Mr. Tavenner. I think while we are narrating your general exj
rience in the Communist Party, that you should begin here again
1950 and tell what you did after that period of time when you we
advised by Shermis that you would no longer be an open car
carrying member.
Mr. Hamlin. From that period of time, as was designated at th
time, Verna Langer was to be my party contact. I was to contin
with my work in the Independent Progressive Party, as I had be
working ; I was at that particular time treasurer of the Independe,
?r
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4881
regressive Party, and if at any time the party had information to
)nvey to me, or I had to them, I was to carry on that conveyance
irough Mrs. Langer. Mrs. Langer came to my home ahnost every
unday, inasmuch as she brought the People's World to me, which
in turn delivered to a particular section of Linda Vista, and we
ad a number of discussions about party policy and what not, during
lat period of time.
Also I passed to Mrs. Langer periodically, about once a month, the
ime amount of dues and contributions that I had been paying.
Mr. Tavenner. This made your ability to observe the activity of
le other Communist Party members more difficult from that time on,
id it not?
Mr. Hamlin. It was told to me at the time that Mrs. Langer and
[rs. Shermis talked with me that — and this was rather, appeared to be
confidential sort of thing — that they were telling me, although they
lay have told other people the same thing — that one of the reasons
lis was necessary was in order that other Communist Party members
^ould no longer know on any basis who was a Communist and who
as not, and whether there were Communist Party meetings or any
unctions of the Communist Party, and that under no circumstances
as I, as an individual, to discuss Communist Party membership ; that
5, whether an individual is still a Communist or not, with any person
tiat I had known formerly to be a Communist.
Mr. Tavenxer. This was all the part of the underground system
he Communist Party adopted at that time ?
Mr. Hamlin. I believe it was quite nationwide, yes.
]\Ir. Tavenner. Did you have perspnal contact with other members
f the Communist Party after this plan was put into effect ?
Mr. Hamlin. Constantly, yes, in my activities in the Independent
-*rogressive Party, and other activities, and meetings.
Mr. Tavenner. Now, that situation continued up until the time you
eft the party ?
Mr. PIamlin. Yes, up until — let's see, I appeared in Los Angeles in
^I'ebruary, and I believe about as late as January there was a meeting
ailed by Laura Stevenson, at which a man by the name of Stevens,
vho was head of the Independent Progressive Party, and Mrs. Juanita
.Reiser were present, at which time they felt that through manipula-
ion they had obtained out of Los Angeles that it was possible I might
)e a witness for the Government, and, therefore, Stevenson, Laura
5tevenson, asked me to please resign as treasurer of the Independent
Progressive Party, which, of course, I did.
Mr. Tavenner. Were any of the people that you have just men-
ioned, the two Stevensons and Keiser, known to you to be members
)f the Communist Party ?
]Mr. Hamlin. Laura Stevenson, of course, is a member of the Com-
nunist Party. Juanita Keiser is an individual who has sanctioned the
vorkings and helped with the efforts of the Communist Party for a
ong, long time, but who told me personally at one time that she could
lever join the Communist Party as an actual member inasmuch as she
lidn't want to subject herself to the rigid discipline that they adhered
to.
Mr. Ta\t:nner. You spoke of Laura Stevenson.
Mr. Hamlin. Laura Stevenson.
[ion
\
aiu
m
mo
4882 coMMinsriST activities est the state of California
Mr. Tavenner. Yoii also mentioned her husband.
Mr. Hamlin. No. f
Mr. Tavenner. I think we should make the record plain if he wai
not a member of the Communist Party to so state. ^
Mr. Hamlin. Arthur Stevens is an individual who came to Sail"'
Diego the latter part of '48, possibly the early part of '49, a persoi
who has been working in the Independent Progi'essive Party as it;
chairman from that period of time. He was also quite active in th(
San Diego Peace Forum.
Mr. Tavenner. My question was whether or not he was known t( ^"J
you to be a member of the Communist Party?
Mr. Hamlin. No; not a known Communist to my knowledge. |^'
Mr. Tavenner. Not a member of the party ?
Mr. Hamlin. That is right.
Mr. Tavenner. I want the record to show that.
Mr. Hamlin. Definitely; surely.
Mr. Tavenner. Why was it that they suspected that you would b(
used as a witness in the trials? They must have known of youi
undercover activities in the party.
Mr. Hamlin. No. That was due to information that had com«
forth in the indictment that was set forth in Los Angeles.
Mr. Tavenner. I see. That occurred after the indictment?
Mr. Hamlin. Yes.
Mr. Tavenner. In other words, your identity in the Communisi
Party had not been disclosed, that is, your identity as a person work
ing for the Federal Bureau of Investigation was not disclosed unti
it was necessary for you to testify in connection with the case againsi
Schneiderman and others in the Federal Court ?
Mr. Hamlin. That is right ; not to my knowledge.
Mr. Tavenner. You have told the committee that back during th(
period that you were in this secret group, sometimes referred to a; "
the professional cell of the Communist Party, that various fronta. '
operations were undertaken, that is, work in various front groups was ^'
undertaken by various Communist Party members, and you indicatec [f^
you have had some experience in those mass organizations yourself. 1 ^^
would like you to describe them, first your own activities and whal
the Communist Party endeavored to get you to do in connection witt
front activities.
Mr. Hamlin. The first organization that was controlled by th€'
Communist Party here in San Diego, in which I was given a job, \ya£
the Spanish Refugee Appeal, or better known legally as the Joint
Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee. George Lohr came to my home one
evening and told me that Lucia Batt at that time, who later became
Lucia Buchanan
Mr. Tavenner. Let me interrupt you at this moment.
With the Chairman's approval, I would like to suggest that the
witness not mention in the course of his testimony the names of per-
sons in these front organizations unless they were known to him to \jQ
members of the Communist Party, because the front organization,
by its very name, indicates that it means a group of people including
Communists but not all Communists who are engaging in a particular
project.
i
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4883
Mr. Hamlin. Yes. And may I add to that in many instances from
ersonal living examples and I know that definitely to be the case, that
!ommunist-front organizations primarily, and I might say in most
istances, are made up of a great many innocent people, people who
0 not know at that particular time wdiat the essence of the organiza-
on and the attempts that the organizations are making.
Now, there is a difference. There are certain people who do not
now, to begin with, but who later on, because of their very existence
ver a long period of time, cannot help but know what these organiza-
ons are doing.
I would like to differentiate between the type of person who gets out
uickly when they know, and the person who still remains after they
now,
Mr. Jacksox. I think what counsel suggests is a wise precaution,
nd if you will, during the course of your subsequent testimony,
ientify only those by name who are known to you as members of the
ommunist Party, or were so known to you.
Mr. Hamlin. I will. Shall I continue?
Mr. Tavenner. Yes.
Mr. Hamlin. George Lohr at this particular time told me that
(ucia Batt was unable to continue with her job as executive secretary
f the Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee, and that the job was
pen; he would like for me to take the job as the executive secretary
1 this committee, which I did.
The primary purpose of the Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Commit-
e, which I believe in part of 1946 and 1947 was investigated by our
/ongress and has been cited as a subversive organization, the primary
•urpose of the branch office in San Diego was to collect funds, which I
uring the time of my work with it transferred to a woman in Los
ngeles who was head of the Los xVngeles and southern district
ffice.
Our other purpose in having this particular organization in San
)iego was to influence the public, if possible, and individuals who were
ccessible on the problems of the Spanish refugees and the Spanish
epublicans who were, of course, fighting against the Spanish regime
t that time.
This organization, of course, had as its primary sponsor the Abra-
am Lincoln Brigade, which fought in Spain. We gave at least one
arge program to raise funds in the Russ Auditorium, and we at one
ime had a great many notable people in particular as sponsors.
Mr. Ta\^nner. To what extent was the Communist Party respon-
ble for these various courses of conduct?
Mr. Hamlin. Nothing that I did as executive secretary of the Span-
ih Refugee Appeal for a period of some almost a year was done with-
ut first discussing it with George Lohr, the head of the Communist
arty, and adhereing to his dictation to the letter. That was the rea-
on I was executive secretary of the committee.
Mr. Tavenner. Were there any other officials of the Communist
arty in it?
Mr. Hamlin. As I said, Lucia Batt was for a time helping out, and
: is the purpose — and may I say here, if I may digress for a moment,
hat the Communist Party in its front organizations, or in those organ-
ations that it controls, or at least heavily influences, never makes the
li
4884 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
mistake of having too many Communist Party members in the organ-
ization. Organizations can be controlled if the individuals working lei
in them know how it is to be done with very few Communists. li
Actually, for most of the time that I worked as executive secretary ri
in the Spanish Refugee Appeal I was actually the only Communist joi
Party member, card carrying Communist Party member in the organ-
ization. I would like to qualify that.
Mr. Tavenner. The committee in the past has investigated the
ultimate disposition of some of the funds raised by this organization.
Will you tell the committee how much was raised during the period
that you were prominently connected with it, if you know.
Mr. Hamlin. Well, I knew at the time. There has never been a
reason why I should remember it particularly, and I don't remember
the exact numbers. It was in the thousands of dollars inasmuch as —
let's see, I believe I paid myself a salary of $200 a month, so you can
imagine about how much we raised over a period of years with sums
of sizable amounts going to Los Angeles.
Mr. Ta\^nner. That brings up another question. The committee
has found in some areas of the country, particularly in the held of
labor, that the Communist Party paid its functionaries little or
nothing for their work, but they got them assigned to rather lucrative
positions in various union setups where they were paid substantial
salaries, and the union, without knowledge that it was paying the
salary of an officer of the union who was likewise performing duties
of a Communist Party functionary, was nevertheless helping support
the Communist Party.
Mr. Hamlin. I could talk for hours on that particular subject, inas-
much as I was at least in name working for the Communist Party,
Ironically enough, the Communist Party doesn't pay salaries, although
the Communist Party ostensibly is for shorter working hours and
higher wages for the working class of people, that isn't a reality
believe me, after some 7 years of experience. The Communist Partj
when you are working directly under their sponsorship says to you
"You can have such and such salary, which is determined primarily
on how much you have to have to live, but we don't pay it to you
We can't afford to take the funds out of our coffers to pay you," sc
you have to get out and collect the money yourself, and you pay it tc
yourself from such and such organization.
As a concrete example, if you wish, I could tell you about th(
recruitment and job getting of Lynne Ackerstein, whom I mentionec
a few moments ago as the chairman of the Independent Progressiv<
Party.
Prior to the time that she was a Communist but wanted to be, ]
had a number of discussions with her as to the fact that she wantec
to become a Communist, and that she wanted a job, so she could leav(
her present employment at that particular time in the Federal Hous
ing office, and one of the crying needs then by the Communist Partj
was a person to help me and to help the Communist Party with its
clerical work, its mimeographing of leaflets, things of that type thai j
I was constantly working in, and we did not have manpower to do it
So after a discussion with the county organizer it was determinec sst
that perhaps it would be a good idea to place Lynne, after becoming
a Communist Party member, in the position of chairman of the Inde- Ul
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4885
3iident Progressive Party, which job would not take all of her time,
i she could then have funds collected through the Independent Pro-
t-essive Party, which would pay her a salary, but at the same time she
)u]d do a lot of work for the Communist Party. It was accom-
lishecl very nicely.
jMr. Ta^'enner. That is exactly the same type of illustration that
le committee has received before.
Now, what other mass organizations or front organizations did the
ouimunist Party take an active part in?
JMr. Hamlin. One of my earliest assignments by George Lohr as
Communist was that of working with veterans' organizations.
here was a new veterans' organization inaugurated in San Diego
jout the time I was given this assignment known as the American
eterans' Committee.
May I say before I go further that the American Veterans' Com-
littee was never, to my knowledge, nor could it be classified as a
out organization, because its inception was not originated by the
onnnunist Party. Its inception, by the way, was based upon sound
indamental progressive ideas by a man by the name of Bolte in
le east, who to my knowledge, and no one else's I suppose, by any
retch of the imagination, could be called a Communist.
jNIr. Tavenner. Will you spell that name, please ?
INIr. Hamlin. B-o-l-t-e. He was the national chairman of the
uierican Veterans' Committee. What I am trying to say and make
e;n- is while the American Veterans' Committee was predominantly
1 California and actually controlled in California, at least it was not
Communist Party front organization ; I want to make that clear.
Early in the inception of the American Veterans' Committee in
an Diego, Calif., the Communist party, under the sponsorship of
eorge Lohr, the county chairman, met in my home and we discussed
le issue, which is still, I believe, an issue in the Communist Party
1 other fields, particularly the political field, as to whether or not
was important to infiltrate young veteran organizations that were
wringing up at that particular time, or whether it was more impor-
lut to infiltrate into the older established veteran organizations.
I remember that Jimmy Toback, as an example, who has already
een named in the committee, appeared before the committee, was of
le opinion that it was better to infiltrate into the older organizations
eeause they were already established and a great deal of good could
e done, although much hard work would be before us.
But due to the predominance of opinion by the other members
icre, including myself, it was decided that we should infiltrate, at
>ast try to infiltrate into the younger veterans' organizations and
o what we could to infiluence them.
There is documentary evidence from newspaper clippings that I
as elected chairman of the American Veterans' Committee on a
Dmmonwealth basis after only a few of its meetings here in San
)iego, and may I say that was due directly to the influence of other
lommunist Party members who made it possible for the vote to be
ist in my favor, because at this meeting in my home, which was
laired by George Lohr of the Communist Party, it was decided
t that time that the American Veterans' Committee was the logical
eterans' organization for us to go into in San Diego County, and
tiat I was to become its chairman. That transpired.
tl
4886 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Jackson. Mr. Counsel, I think at this point the record shoul
show the American Veterans' Committee and tlie American Veterar
of World War II, the Amvets, are two different organizations. Quit
frequently the two organizations are confused in the public mine
and in light of the statement of the witness that there was Communis
control of AVC, it is quite important for many thousands of Amvel
to be properly protected. ^^
Mr. Hamlin. That is right.
Mr. Tavenner. Now, will you describe your activity within ths
organization ?
Mr. Hamlin. My activity in the American Veterans' Committ(
both on a local basis and later on when I was elected as a member (
the State committee and later as a State vice chairman of the Amer
can Veterans' Committee, was to reach as many veterans as possibl
This is, from the Communist standpoint and the plans that "W
made both on a local and the statewide basis, to use the America
Veterans' Committee as a springboard to affect public opinion i
the veterans circles.
Of course, one of our primary duties was to observe those veterai
who are most, if I may quote the Communist Party dialectic, militai
in their reactions against the status quo, to single them out for di
cussions, and, if possible, later giving them Communist literatu]
and bringing them to a possible recruitment session in the Communi
Party.
I may say that to my knowledge in San Diego there were no ve
erans that were recruited into the Communist Party through tl
direct efforts of myself or others who helped me in the America
Veterans' Committee.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you give us the names of those who helped yc
within that organization who were known to you to be members (
the Communist Party ?
Mr. Hamlin. James Toback has already been named; Benjam:
Haddock, who I understand has already testified before the committ*
in executive session ; Jeff Boehm, who I mentioned before as havir
helped in veterans' circles, and actually one other young man who;
name escapes me for the moment. Primarily that is tlie group wl
worked under the sponsorship of the Communist Party, and we co]
trolled the organization here in San Diego area with that very sma
group.
Mr. Jackson. Wliat was the membership of AVC ?
Mr. Hamlin. I cannot tell you definitely. The membership flucti
ated from a possible three or four hundred at one time downwari
Mr. Jackson. So three or four individuals in AVC were able 1
direct its policy ?
Mr. Hamlin. That is right, and our influence as a veterans' organ
zation, may I state, far outweighed either the membership or tl
actual accomplishments that we made.
Mr. Jackson. Did the desire of the Communist Party to infiltral
and control and direct the activities of the American Veterans' Con
mittee spring, at least in part, from the fact that much effective oj
position to the Communist Party was present in the old line veteran
organizations, let us say the American Legion, Veterans of Foreig
Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and groups of that sort ?
li
COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 4887
Mr. Hamlin. Yes. May I give the American Legion a compliment
0 the effect that I don't believe any veterans' organization in the
Jnited States is so hated by the Communist Party as the American
legion, and I consider that a compliment.
Mr. Jackson. So do I. Proceed.
Mr. TA^^NNER. Now, you have stated that you worked within the
onerican Veterans' Committee also on a State level.
Mr. Hamlin. Yes, sir.
Mr. Tavenner. Will you tell the committee about your activities
n the State level ?
Mr. Hamlin. I could do it very briefly, but not go into too much
etail, because it covers a period of several years.
My first contact on the State level was early in 1946, at which time
, of course, had been elected from San Diego County as the one to
epresent this area as its representative in the first American Vet-
rans' Committee convention which was to be held in Los Angeles.
After my election, of course I discussed this with George Lohr, the
ead of the Communist Party, telling him I was to go as a representa-
ive from this area, and asking whether or not it would be important
or me to contact the Communist Party office in Los Angeles for in-
tructions, or principally any instructions that should be given to me
0 I could help the Communist Party members in Los Angeles in their
fforts in the convention.
George Lohr made contact, just who I do not know, with the Los
Lngeles Communist Party office, and a few days later told me that I
s^as to report into that office immediately upon my arrival in Los
lngeles. That I did.
Upon entering the office and telling them my name at the front
|esk
Mr. Tavenner. By entering what office ?
]Mr. Hamlin. The Communist Party office in Los Angeles ; I believe
t is on Spring Street, I have forgotten ; it was in 1946, and I have
ever been there since — immediately upon my entry there, telling who
was, I was escorted by one of the men who was present back to an
Qner office, and there I was introduced to Don Wheeldin and another
oung gentleman, who were introduced to me as Communist Party
aembers, and we sat for some hour or so preparing the speech that
7as to be given as the opening speech of the American Veterans'
committee convention in Los Angeles.
This speech was delivered by Don Wheeldin.
Mr. Tavenner. Spell his name.
Mr. Hamlin. W-h-e-e-1-d-i-n.
Mr. Jackson. The Chair would like to state that Mr. Wheeldin has
een accorded all freedom at the press table.
Mr. Counsel, have you reached a recess point ?
Mr. Tavenner. Just one other point first.
Wliat position did Mr. Wheeldin have at that time, do you know ?
Mr. Hamlin. In the American Veterans' Committee or in the Com-
aunist Party?
Mr. Tavenner. Both.
Mr. Hamlin. The position he held in the Communist Party I do
LOt know. I would be only surmising. In the American Veterans'
llommittee I do not either, except that of his giving a speech at that
4888 COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
particular time, and particularly the opening speech, which was con-
sidered a very important one, so he must have been rather high ir
the American Veterans' Committee.
Mr. Jackson. The Chair has two announcements to make. Is Mr
Adams still in the room ?
Mr, Wheeler. No, he is not.
Mr. Jackson. Very well. The Chair has received a telephone mes'
sage from a Mr. Elmer Larson of Ocean Beach who is most vehemem
in his statement that he is not the Elmer Larson referred to during
the course of the hearings as having been a member of the Communis ;
Party.
The Chair is happy to make this announcement and any other ;
which will have the effect of clearing up any similarity of names. Thi;
procedure is in keeping with the policy of the committee that if an^
person feels that there has come out of testimony such a similarity ^
as may be damaging to his character, he is invited to communicat -
with the committee, and every effort will be made to put his denia
on the record in his own interests and in the interests of the com ,
mittee. ii
At this time the committee will stand in recess until two p. m. |'
(Whereupon, at 12 : 05 p. m., a recess was taken until 2 p. m. of th "
same day.)
INDEX TO PART 8
i
INDIVIDUALS
Page
ckerstein, Lynne 4876, 4884
dams, Richard 4847,4848-4867 (testimony), 4867, 4888
she, Harold 4860
Jatt, Lucia 4882, 4883
Jenson, Elmer 4850
$oehm, Jeff 4875, 4880, 4886
Jolte 4885
Jrowder, Earl 4853, 4861^863, 4870
tuchanan, Lucia 4882
unyard, Lolita (see also Gibson, Lolita) 4877
:!onlee, Derwent 4866
Mttenden, Wilma 4877
3rown, Zella 4866
Mmitrov, George 4861
oyle, Bernadette 4879
)uclos 4861-4863
J'oster, William Z 4862
arth, Margaret 4S73
Jatewood, Ernestine 4876
ibson, Howard 4877, 4878
jibson, Lolita (Mrs. Howard Gibson; see also Bunyard, Lolita) 4877, 4879
regovich, Lee 4873
laddock, Benjamin 4873, 4886
aamlin, Lloyd 4866, 4867-4888 (testimony)
3ull, Morgan 4869
lunt, Lillian 4872, 4873
ransen, A. E 4867
Sieiser, Juanita 4881
anger, Joseph 4872
-.anger, Verna 4871, 4880, 4881
arson, Elmer 4888
liessner, Milton 4877
jessner, Mrs. Milton 4877
lOhr, George 4865. 4874, 4882, 4883, 4885, 4887
[iOhr, Mrs. George {see also Weigert, Helga) 4865
Lovestone, Jay 4862, 4863
Lund, Nancy Rosenfeld 4879
Slorkowski, Ray 4875
!^euman, Betty 4866
Newsome 4866
O'Brien, Blanche (Mrs. Jack O'Brien) 4878
O'Brien, Jack 4878
Olson, Governor 4850
Pollack, Louis 4878
Pollack, Mrs. LouLs 4878
Potompkins, Blanche 4878
Rogers, A. C 4876
Saskary, Morris 4866
Schneiderman, William 4869
Shei-mis, Celia (Mrs. Harry Shermis) 4871, 4880, 4881
Shermis, Harry 4880
Sleeth, Paul ~ 4377
Starcevic, Miriam (Mrs. David Starcevic) 4880
iStarcevic, David 4880
11 INDEX
Pa«
Stevens, Arthur 4881, 4882
Stevenson, Laura 488]
Thomas, Flora 486f
Toback, James 4877, 4885, 488(
Watrous, Robert 487J
Weigert, Helga (Mrs. George Lohr) 4864,4865
Weihe, Henry 484'
Wheeldin, Don 488'
Wheeler, William A 4867 (testimony)
Zahalsky, Nathan 487?
Oeganizations
Abraham Lincoln Brigade 488S
American Federation of Labor 4852
American Legion 4886, 488'
American Veterans' Committee 4875, 4885, 4887, 4888
Amvets of World War II 4886
Balboa University, San Diego 4848, 484£
Bethlehem Steel Corp., Sparrow's Point 485£
Central Labor Council 4853, 4854, 4876
Cominform 486i
Comintern 4862
Communist Party, California 4866
District 4 485J
East San Diego Club 4875
Minnesota 485(
San Diego 4853, 4857, 4859-^861, 4863, 4865, 4869, 4871-4874, 487'J
San Diego :
Linda Vista Club 4871, 4879, 488C
Logan Heights Branch 4856
Morgan Hull Club 4874
South Bay Branch 4856
Trade Union Club 4869,4875
Communist Political Association 4869,4875
Community Book Store, San Diego 484£
Congress of Industrial Organizations 487^
Disabled American Veterans 4886
30th District Young Democrats, California 4866
Duluth Business College 4848
Farm Security Administi'ation 4848
Federal Bureau of Investigation 4864, 4874, 4882
Federal Housing Administration 4876, 4884
Federated Press 484S
Independent Progressive Party 4876, 488CM882, 4884
Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee 4882, 4883
Office of Naval Intelligence 4868,4869
Office Workers' Union 4853, 4854, 4858, 4S59
Ryan aeronautic plant 4878
San Diego Peace Forum 4882
Spanish Refugee Appeal 4882-4884
State Department 4864
Teheran Conference 4862
United Nations 4855
United Office and Professional Workers' Union, San Diego County 4878
Veterans of Foreign Wars 4886
Works Progress Administration 4848
World Congress of the Communist International, 1935 4861
Publications
Daily People's World 4848, 4856, 4858, 4865, 4880, 4881
Labor Leader 4848
San Diego Daily Journal 4848, 4875
State and Revolution 4852
O
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